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Plessy v. Ferguson: Quick Facts

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Facts

Date May 18, 1896
Location United States
Participants Supreme Court of the United States • Homer Plessy • John Howard Ferguson

Did You Know?

  • Plessy v. Ferguson originated in Louisiana, where, as a result of previous French influence, there was generally greater toleration of people of color than in the rest of the Deep South.
  • The Creole, or 'gens de couleur libres,' freed descendants of African mothers and white fathers, created ambiguity in racial segregation laws. It was a group of Creole professionals that formed the committee that tried to have the Louisiana Separate Car Act of 1890 declared unconstitutional through Plessy v. Ferguson.

Photos and Videos

Plessy v. Ferguson judgment
Homer Plessy arrest marker
Henry Billings Brown
John Marshall Harlan
Find out how the U.S. Supreme Court changed under U.S. Pres. Franklin Roosevelt and learn about its role in the civil rights movement
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Related Topics and References

Topics

Key People

John Marshall Harlan
John Marshall Harlan
United States jurist [1833-1911]
Henry Billings Brown
Henry Billings Brown
United States jurist

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