Who was Thurgood Marshall for kids? (2024)

Who was Thurgood Marshall for kids?

Thurgood Marshall was the first African American to serve as a justice (judge) on the U.S. Supreme Court. Marshall strongly supported equal rights for African Americans. Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 2, 1908. In 1933 he graduated from Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C.

Who was Thurgood Marshall Short answer?

Thurgood Marshall was a civil rights lawyer who used the courts to fight Jim Crow and dismantle segregation in the U.S. Marshall was a towering figure who became the nation's first Black United States Supreme Court Justice.

What are 3 short facts about Thurgood Marshall?

Marshall founded LDF in 1940 and served as its first Director-Counsel. He was the architect of the legal strategy that ended the country's official policy of segregation and was the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice. He served as Associate Justice from 1967-1991 after being nominated by President Lyndon B.

Was Thurgood Marshall a good justice?

Supreme Court of the United States. Thurgood Marshall had a fresh, passionate voice and became a champion of civil rights, both on the bench and through almost 30 Supreme Court victories before his appointment, during times of severe racial strains.

Why is Thurgood Marshall important for kids?

After graduating from law school, Marshall started working on civil rights cases to fight for equality for African Americans. But probably his best known case was Brown vs. Board of Education, which challenged school segregation, when white and Black students are forced to go to separate schools.

What is Thurgood Marshall known as?

As a lawyer and judge, Thurgood Marshall strived to protect the rights of all citizens. His legacy earned him the nickname "Mr. Civil Rights." Thurgood Marshall was born Thoroughgood Marshall on June 2, 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Did Thurgood have any kids?

Thurgood Marshall had two sons with his second wife, Cecilia. The oldest son, born in 1956, Thurgood Marshall, Jr. became a lawyer like his father. Thurgood Marshall Sr.'s youngest son, John W.

Did Thurgood Marshall have 2 wives?

Thurgood Marshall's first wife, Vivien Burey, died of cancer in 1955, and he and Suyat married later that year. They had two sons, Thurgood Jr. and John. In a statement, Chief Justice John Roberts called Cissy Marshall a a “vibrant and engaged member of the Court family" who regularly attended court events.

Who was the first female justice?

From her election as the first female Majority Leader in the history of American legislatures to her confirmation as the first female Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor led with a brilliance and conviction that disarmed resistance.

What is a fun fact about Thurgood?

1—The justice's first name was was actually Thoroughgood, but in second grade, he got tired of writing his full name and shortened it to Thurgood. 2—Marshall was an exceptional lawyer, arguing thirty-two cases before the Supreme Court.

What is a good fact about Thurgood Marshall?

His biggest accomplishment was winning the case Brown v. Board of Education, which determined that schools in the United States needed to desegregate. Marshall is also the first African-American to serve on the Supreme Court as an associate justice.

What is a fun fact about Thurgood Marshall for kids?

Interesting Facts about Thurgood Marshall

His birth first name was Thoroughgood, but as a child Marshall got tired of having to write out such a long name. He shortened his name to Thurgood in the second grade. While working as a lawyer he argued 32 cases before the Supreme Court and won 29 of them.

Was Thurgood Marshall a good leader?

Thurgood Marshall was the country's first African American Supreme Court judge. Before landing the historic position, he was known as a leader for equal rights, has argued, and won, hundreds of cases to bring the nation closer to equality.

When did Thurgood Marshall died?

Thurgood Marshall (born July 2, 1908, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.—died January 24, 1993, Bethesda) lawyer, civil rights activist, and associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1967–91), the Court's first African American member.

Did Thurgood Marshall win any awards?

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993 by President Bill Clinton. In 1946, Marshall was also honored with the Spingarn Medal awarded by the National Association of Colored People (NAACP).

Is Thurgood Marshall part white?

Thurgood Marshall was an African American, so he would be considered a 'Black.

What cases did Thurgood Marshall lose?

He may have been a fantastic lawyer and one of the best records arguing before the Supreme Court, but he still had some notable losses including Lyons v. Oklahoma, Taylor v. Alabama and in a particularly pointed way the Groveland Four trials.

What is Thurgood Marshall important events?

Was Thurgood Marshall rich or poor?

He thought it was right for both rich and poor children to have equal rights. This quote had to do with Thurgood Marshall's life because he was not rich but his parents and teachers worked hard to help him become a lawyer. He had to memorize the constitution.

Who replaced Thurgood Marshall?

President George H. W. Bush (whom Marshall loathed) nominated Clarence Thomas, a conservative who had served in the Reagan and Bush administrations, to replace Marshall. His retirement took effect on October 1.

What challenges did Thurgood Marshall face?

The primary obstacle that Thurgood Marshall faced during his lifetime was racial prejudice and segregation. Before the 1960s, it was illegal for African Americans in the South to use the same public and private institutions and facilities as whites. They were also not allowed to vote.

Why is Thurgood Marshall important?

International Civil Rights: Walk of Fame - Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood Marshall, who became the first African-American Supreme Court Justice (1967-1991), knocked down legal segregation in America as a civil rights attorney.

Did Thurgood Marshall have a dad?

His parents were William Canfield Marshall, a country club steward, and Norma Marshall, an elementary school teacher. Thurgood's grandfather, Thorney Marshall, had been enslaved as a child, but escaped to Baltimore, where he later married and raised a family.

Did Thurgood Marshall have a mom?

Thoroughgood ("Thurgood") Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 2, 1908, the younger of two sons of William and Norma Marshall. His father William was a railroad porter and later steward at a whites only country club. His mother Norma was a public school teacher for over 25 years.

Who did Thurgood Marshall marry?

Married first wife Vivian Burey (d. February 1955), September 4, 1929; two sons, Thurgood, Jr. and John William. Married second wife Cecilia Suyat, December 12, 1955.