jan 5, 1896 - 1896: Plessy v. Ferguson (Homer Plessy, a light skinned mulatto legally classed as black, sued the railway company after being denied a seat on an all white railway carriage. The Supreme Court Justices decided 8-1 against him, ruling that segregation was constitutional as separation in itself did not imply inferior treatment. This case provided an important legal precedent that would remain in place for over half a century.) (Timeline)