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 was historic, as he broke racial barriers in a predominantly white institution. Marshall was not only a pivotal figure in advancing civil rights but also had a profound impact on American law, particularly through his contributions to key cases that aimed to eradicate racial segregation. His legal career included significant achievements, such as successfully arguing the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which helped dismantle institutionalized racism in public education.

In contrast, Louis F. Powell, Junior, and Abe Fortas were justices of the Supreme Court but did not have the same historical significance regarding racial diversity, as they were both white. Clarence Thomas succeeded Marshall and is also an African American justice, but he was not the first; he was appointed in 1991, long after Marshall. Thus, Thurgood Marshall stands out as a groundbreaking figure in the history of the Supreme Court and American civil rights.