In 1967 the Supreme Court Case of Loving v. Virginia ended the right of states to ban interracial marriages and decided anti-miscegenation laws were unconstitutional under the 14th amendment. In this presentation, Victoria Basulto will tell the stories of the two plaintiffs, Mildred Jeter who was Black and Richard Loving who was white. Married in Washington D.C. the couple was charged with violating Virginia's antimiscegenation laws upon returning to Virginia. This is the story of their journey to the Supreme Court and the impact the decision had on the rest of the nation.
About Black History Matters
Black History Matters 2022 is an educational series that seeks to highlight Black American history. NAHOF believes that by understanding history the present may be better understood. The mission of the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum is to honor antislavery abolitionists, their work to end slavery, and the legacy of that struggle, and strive to complete the second, and ongoing abolition – the moral conviction to end racism. These February programs will address key events in our national history and are topics in history that are lesser known or whose implications are not usually understood. The presenters are volunteer scholars, educators, authors, and researchers who support this project by donating their time and talents.
This program is funded, in part by, Humanities New York with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any view, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Viewers are encouraged to complete a brief survey for a report to the funder and to guide NAHOF.