The nomination of Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson was a pivotal event for American jurisprudence and civil rights. Marshall was serving as the Solicitor General at the time of his nomination, a position in which he had argued numerous important cases before the Supreme Court. His nomination represented not only a personal achievement for Marshall but also an important milestone for racial equality in the United States. Johnson's decision to nominate Marshall was influenced by the growing national awareness regarding civil rights and the need for progressive change in government institutions reflective of the country’s diverse population.

Marshall's nomination was met with a range of reactions, both supportive and critical, reflecting the complex nature of race relations in America during the 1960s. As the first African American nominated to the Supreme Court, his confirmation hearings were closely watched and discussed in the media and among the public, sparking dialogue on issues of race, justice, and equality. The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings to evaluate Marshall's qualifications, examining his record and philosophy on the law, which he had shaped through years of litigation, including landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education.

As Marshall awaited the Senate's decision, the nation was engaged in a vigorous debate about race and civil rights, heightened by ongoing protests and movements advocating for racial equality. His eventual confirmation as a justice in the Supreme Court would make a lasting impact on the court's direction and influence various landmark decisions in areas related to civil rights and social justice.