January 1, This Day in History – June 12th: The Loving v. Virginia Ruling, 1967

June 12th, 1967, marked a monumental victory for civil rights in the United States. It was on this day that the Supreme Court issued its decision in Loving v. Virginia, striking down laws banning interracial marriage and affirming the fundamental right to marry.

At the heart of this landmark case were Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple from Virginia who married in Washington D.C. in 1958 to avoid Virginia’s ban on interracial marriage. Upon their return to Virginia, they were arrested and charged with violating the state’s “Racial Integrity Act.”

The Lovings took their case all the way to the Supreme Court, arguing that Virginia’s law violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in their favor, declaring Virginia’s law and similar statutes in 15 other states unconstitutional.

The Loving v. Virginia decision has had far-reaching implications, setting important legal precedents for cases involving marriage and equality rights. This June 12th, known as Loving Day, we commemorate this pivotal ruling and the courageous couple who fought for their right to love and marry without racial restrictions. It stands as a reminder of the progress made in civil rights and the ongoing work towards equality and justice for all.