Who was the first African American Supreme Court Justice?

Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court Justice, serving on the Court from 1967 to 1991. His appointment marked a significant milestone in U.S. history, representing a breakthrough in the civil rights movement and paving the way for greater diversity within the judiciary. Marshall was a prominent civil rights lawyer before his appointment, and he notably argued the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which challenged racial segregation in public schools. His judicial philosophy emphasized the importance of justice and equality, and he played a crucial role in advocating for the protection of individual rights.