October 2
Thurgood Marshall Sworn In as First Black Supreme Court Justice
Summary
Thurgood Marshall had built a distinguished career as chief counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, arguing landmark cases including Brown v. Board of Education that dismantled legal segregation. President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated him to the Supreme Court in June 1967 to fill the seat vacated by Justice Tom C. Clark. After Senate confirmation in August by a 69-11 vote, Marshall took the judicial oath on October 2, 1967, administered by Chief Justice Earl Warren in a private White House ceremony. He became the first African American to serve on the nation's highest court, bringing decades of civil rights advocacy to the bench.
Why It Matters
Marshall's appointment broke a historic barrier and symbolized progress in the civil rights movement, influencing the Court's approach to equality, affirmative action, and criminal justice for his 24-year tenure. It paved the way for greater diversity on the federal judiciary and reinforced the role of the Supreme Court in advancing constitutional protections against discrimination.
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- America 250 Atlas: Thurgood Marshall Sworn In as First Black Supreme Court Justice is part of U.S. presidential, constitutional, or national civic history.
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Sources
- Thurgood Marshall sworn in as first Black Supreme Court justice, HISTORY. Accessed 2026-07-05.