1967 — Loving v. Virginia: Interracial Marriage Legalized

On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Loving v. Virginia, declaring all laws banning interracial marriage unconstitutional. The case was brought by Richard and Mildred Loving, a white man and Black woman who were arrested in Virginia for violating state laws. In a unanimous ruling, the Court stated that marriage is a basic civil right and that denying it based on race violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This ruling invalidated laws in 16 U.S. states and became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. June 12 is now celebrated annually as Loving Day, commemorating the courage of the Lovings and the ongoing fight for racial equality and marriage rights. The case remains a symbol of personal liberty, racial justice, and the legal dismantling of institutionalized racism in America.