May 17, 1954: A quiet day in May becomes a turning point in American history (more) Today in History—May 17: Day 1: Brown v. Board of Education Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 15, 2026 •History In a unanimous ruling on this day in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down racial segregation in public schools, declaring that separate facilities for Black and white students were inherently unequal. Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn more about what happened on May 17, or any other day of the year? Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox every morning. The landmark case...

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