Today in History: Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall
Today in History–October 2–the Library of Congress features Thurgood Marshall, sworn in as Supreme Court Justice on this day in 1967; he was the first African American to serve. President Lyndon B. Johnson said of Marshall’s appointment, “the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place.” Prior to becoming a judge, Marshall was a top civil rights lawyer, most famous for his greatest victory in 1954 with the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Learn more about this trailblazing leader by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more information and resources related to Thurgood Marshall.

Thurgood Marshall stories from America’s Library

Thurgood Marshall: His Papers at LC Document a Career in Civil Rights

Justice Thurgood Marshall: 50th Anniversary of His Swearing-in to the Supreme Court In Custodia Legis blog October 2, 2017

Memorandum, “Saving the Race,” Thurgood Marshall to the NAACP legal staff concerning voting rights cases in Texas

Justice notes concerning Chief Justice Warren’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education

Thurgood Marshall historical newspaper coverage

Thurgood Marshall related books & documents

Thurgood Marshall legislation

Thurgood Marshall image set

With an Even Hand: Brown v. Board at Fifty (online exhibition)

More civil rights primary source collections & teaching resources