What landmark case ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional?

The landmark case that ruled segregation in public schools was unconstitutional is Brown v. Board of Education. This 1954 Supreme Court decision fundamentally changed the landscape of education and civil rights in the United States. The case addressed the doctrine of "separate but equal," which had been established by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. Brown v. Board of Education concluded that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal, and therefore, segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The significance of this ruling extended beyond just the context of education; it was a pivotal moment in the broader Civil Rights Movement, inspiring further efforts to dismantle segregation and discriminatory practices in various aspects of American life. The case highlighted the need for equality and respect for all individuals, regardless of race, and set a precedent for challenging segregation and discrimination in other areas.