What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education?

The significance of the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education lies in its declaration that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. Decided in 1954, this landmark ruling was pivotal in the civil rights movement as it overturned the previous precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, which upheld the "separate but equal" doctrine. The Court determined that separating children in public schools based on their race created a sense of inferiority that affected their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone. This landmark decision provided a legal foundation for challenging all forms of racial segregation and discrimination, significantly advancing the cause of civil rights by fostering further integration efforts in schools and other public spaces in the United States.