The landmark decision that abolished racial segregation in public schools in 1954 was Brown v. Board of Education. This historic Supreme Court ruling declared that "separate but equal" educational facilities for racial minorities and whites were inherently unequal, thus unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The decision was a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement, as it challenged systemic racism and set a precedent for further desegregation efforts. It catalyzed public awareness and activism against racial inequality and discrimination, making it a cornerstone of the fight for civil rights in the United States.