What is the significance of the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education?

The significance of the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education lies in its declaration that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This 1954 Supreme Court decision overturned the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson, which upheld the doctrine of "separate but equal." The ruling emphasized that segregated educational facilities are inherently unequal, thus violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This case was pivotal in the civil rights movement, serving as a catalyst for subsequent efforts aimed at ending segregation and promoting equality in other areas of public life, especially in the South. The case underscored the federal government's role in enforcing civil rights and set a legal precedent for challenging discriminatory practices nationwide.