1973: Roe v. Wade legalized abortion nationwide.
1954: Brown v. Board of Education overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and declared that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional
1896: Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation, establishing the "separate but equal" doctrine
1857: Dred Scott v. Sandford ruled that African Americans are not citizens and have no rights under the Constitution.
1803: Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to strike down laws that it finds to be unconstitutional
The Supreme Court's rulings on abortion, gun rights, and environmental regulations are among the most consequential decisions of 2022.