Who was the first African American Supreme Court Justice?

Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court Justice, serving from 1967 to 1991. His appointment marked a significant milestone in U.S. history, as he was a trailblazer for civil rights and played a crucial role in dismantling racial segregation through his work as an attorney before joining the Supreme Court. Notably, he argued the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which helped to overturn the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson.

Marshall's legacy is deeply intertwined with the struggle for social justice and equality, making his appointment a symbol of progress in the judicial system and broader society, reflecting changes in attitudes towards race and equal rights in the mid-20th century. This context emphasizes the importance of his role not just in legal decisions but also in influencing civil rights in America.