“We conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Therefore, we hold that the plaintiffs and others similarly situated for whom the actions have been brought are, by reason of the segregation complained of, deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. This disposition makes unnecessary any discussion whether such segregation also violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.” —Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren in Brown v. Board of Education opinion, 1954 How was Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) different from the decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

While the Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) determined segregation laws to be legal, the decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) determined that segregation laws were not legal for violating the 14th Amendment.

Explanation:

In the Plessy v. Ferguson case, the Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated public facilities were equal in terms of quality and thus did not imply any inequality toward African Americans, and did not violate the equal protection of the laws stated in the 14th Amendment. Segregation in the South was allowed to continue.

The Brown v. Board of Education case, on the other hand, proved that the segregated facilities were unequal and they were a form of discrimination toward black people. This case determined that segregation laws did not provide equal protection or liberties to non-white people, violating the 14th Amendment. Thus, it rendered invalid the Plessy v. Ferguson case.