May 18, 1896: A Supreme Court ruling that shaped public life for decades (more) Today in History—May 18: Day 2: Plessy v. Ferguson 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 On this day in 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that would endure until a day in May 1954. In a 7–1 decision (with one abstention), the Court decreed that racial segregation was not unconstitutional so long as states provided “equal” facilities. In practice, it gave legal cover to the perpetuation of deeply unequal public systems, including schools. Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn...

　　.eb-448-paywall-overlay { position: relative; background: white; border: 2px solid #93c5fd; border-radius: 16px; text-align: center; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px 0px #bfdbfe; width: 100%; overflow: hidden; } .eb-448-paywall-overlay-padding { padding: 40px 48px; } .eb-448-paywall-simple { border: 2px solid #93c5fd; } .eb-448-decorative-left-simple, .eb-448-decorative-right-simple { position: absolute; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); } .eb-448-decorative-left-simple { left: 0px; transform: translateY(-50%) scaleX(-1); } .eb-448-paywall-simple .eb-448-decorative-right-simple { right: 0; } .eb-448-paywall-content { position: relative; z-index: 15; } .eb-448-header-section { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 12px; margin-bottom: 8px; } .eb-448-features { display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; gap: 12px; margin-bottom: 32px; font-size: 14px; color: #525252; } .eb-448-features-simple { color: #6b6b6b; } .eb-448-feature-free-trial { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; color: black; } .eb-448-feature-secondary { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; } .eb-448-feature { font-weight: 600; } .eb-448-feature.simple { font-weight: 400; } .eb-448-feature.bold { color: balck; font-weight: 700; } .eb-448-feature.blue { color: #14599d; } .eb-448-divider { color: #cbd5e0; font-weight: 300; } .eb-448-unsubscribe-text { color: #525252; margin-bottom: 8px; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; } .eb-448-unsubscribe-text-simple { font-weight: 400; color: #6b6b6b; } .eb-448-decorative-left { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; height: 100%; z-index: -1; } .eb-448-decorative-right { position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; } .eb-448-decorative-image { height: 100%; } .eb-448-decorative-mobile { width: 100%; display: none; img { width: 100%; } } @media (max-width: 672px) { .eb-448-features { gap: 8px; font-size: 12px; } .eb-448-unsubscribe-text { font-size: 12px; } .eb-448-decorative-left, .eb-448-decorative-right { display: none; } .eb-448-decorative-mobile { display: flex; } .eb-448-paywall-overlay-padding { padding: 20px 24px; } .eb-448-features-simple { flex-direction: column; } .eb-448-feature-free-trial .eb-448-divider { display: none; } .eb-448-thistle-icon { filter: blur(2px); } }

　　Discover the world with Britannica Subscribe to Continue Reading Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content Unsubscribe Anytime!

　　Explore Subscriptions