May 17, 2004 marks the 50th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas. The Court’s decision in Brown sounded the death knell for state-sanctioned race discrimination, striking down school segregation and abolishing the “separate but equal” doctrine that had served as the legal basis for state enforced segregation.

Brown is a landmark case for school de-segregation, for de-segregation generally, and for establishing both the legal basis and political momentum for the civil rights movement.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the New York State Unified Court System has developed and coordinated a series of events involving public school children, judges, court personnel, and lawyers to organize and conduct school-based projects, court events, and other activities celebrating Brown.

In addition, Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye will be leading celebrations of Brown's 50th Anniversary including a statewide video conference on April 19, 2004 with students and judges from five judicial districts around the state; a Law Day event themed on Brown at the Court of Appeals in Albany on April 30, 2004; and a special commemorative event at the Bronx High School for Law Government & Justice on May 19, 2004.

Please join the New York State Unified Court System in commemorating and celebrating the landmark decision in Brown and in re-committing to Brown’s vision of equality of opportunity.