October 1883
The Supreme Court strikes down the 1875 Civil Rights Act, opening the door to Jim Crow.
Justice John Marshall Harlan — a former slaveholder from Kentucky — delivered a passionate solo dissent in the Civil Rights Cases (1883), arguing that the Thirteenth Amendment gave Congress authority to abolish all 'badges and incidents of slavery' including private discrimination, and that the majority had left Black Americans 'practically at the mercy of corporations and individuals wielding power under the States.' Harlan's dissent became foundational to twentieth-century civil rights jurispr
Events
- October 15, 1883Justice Harlan's Lone Dissent Condemns Court's Betrayal
Justice John Marshall Harlan — a former slaveholder from Kentucky — delivered a passionate solo dissent in the Civil Rights Cases (1883), arguing that the Thirteenth Amendment gave Congress authority to abolish all 'badges and incidents of slavery' including private discrimination, and that the majority had left Black Americans 'practically at the mercy of corporations and individuals wielding power under the States.' Harlan's dissent became foundational to twentieth-century civil rights jurispr
- October 15, 1883Justice Harlan's Lone Dissent in Civil Rights Cases
Former slaveholder Justice John Marshall Harlan delivered a solo dissent in the 1883 Civil Rights Cases, arguing the 13th Amendment authorized Congress to abolish all 'badges and incidents of slavery' including private discrimination, and that the majority left Black Americans 'practically at the mercy of corporations and individuals.' Harlan's dissent became foundational to 20th-century civil rights jurisprudence.
- October 15, 1883The Civil Rights Cases
The Supreme Court strikes down the 1875 Civil Rights Act, opening the door to Jim Crow.