The beginning of a new civil rights era in the U.S. is marked by the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. This case challenged the legality of racial segregation in public schools. The Court's unanimous decision declared that "separate but equal" educational facilities were inherently unequal, thus unconstitutional. This ruling laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement, inspiring activism and leading to further legislative changes aimed at ending segregation and discrimination against African Americans. The Brown decision galvanized communities, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the struggle for equality and justice in the United States.