The Supreme Court rules that segregated restaurants in Washington, D.C., are illegal, a victory for Mary Church Terrell's long campaign.
At a Glance
- Date
- 8 June 1953
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Key people
- Mary Church Terrell
- Category
- Law & Justice
- Source
- District of Columbia v. John R. Thompson Co. (1953) · Oyez
What It Meant Then
It struck a blow against segregation in the nation's capital before Brown v. Board.
What It Means Now
The ruling helped desegregate public accommodations in Washington.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “The Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Segregation.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-supreme-court-strikes-down-dc-segregation/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). The Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Segregation. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-supreme-court-strikes-down-dc-segregation/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “The Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Segregation.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-supreme-court-strikes-down-dc-segregation/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.