Thurgood Marshall Nominated to the Supreme Court: A Historic "First" on June 13

June 13 is a monumental day in U.S. presidential history — it’s the date in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his choice for a new judge on the Supreme Court: a brave lawyer named Thurgood Marshall.

At the time, there had never been a Black justice on the Supreme Court in the history of the United States. President Johnson (LBJ) believed it was finally time for that to change. He invited Thurgood Marshall to the White House and, standing in the beautiful Rose Garden, told the world that Marshall was "the right man" for the job.

Thurgood Marshall wasn't just a great lawyer; he was a hero who had already spent his whole life fighting for "Equal Justice Under Law." He had won some of the most important court cases in history, making sure that schools and neighborhoods were open to everyone, regardless of the color of their skin.

Who Was Thurgood Marshall? Quick Bio for Kids

Thurgood Marshall was a brilliant lawyer who became the first African American Supreme Court Justice. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and his great-grandfather had been enslaved. Because of this, Thurgood grew up knowing exactly why fair laws were so important.

Before he became a judge, Thurgood was a "Civil Rights Champion":

• Brown v. Board of Education: He was the lawyer who won this famous case, which ended segregation in schools and said all kids should be able to learn together.
• The "Little Rock Nine": He helped protect nine brave students who were the first to go to an all-white high school in Arkansas.
• Solicitor General: Before the Supreme Court, he was the top lawyer for the U.S. government, representing the President in court.

Thurgood was known for his sharp mind, his great storytelling, and his nickname: "Mr. Civil Rights."

What Happened on June 13, 1967?

• The Big Phone Call: Early in the morning, President Johnson called Marshall to the Oval Office to offer him the job.
• The Rose Garden Announcement: At a press conference later that day, LBJ told reporters that Marshall "deserves the appointment" and that he had earned his place in history.
• A New Path: Even though some people in Congress tried to stop the nomination because they didn't want things to change, Marshall stayed calm and answered all their questions.
• History Made: A few months later, he was officially sworn in, and he served as a Supreme Court Justice for 24 years!

Fun Facts About Thurgood Marshall and June 13 for Kids

• A Name Change: When he was a little boy, his name was actually "Thoroughgood," but he thought it was too long to spell, so he shortened it to Thurgood in second grade!
• A Punished Scholar: As a student, Thurgood was a bit of a jokester. Once, when he got in trouble, his teacher made him read the entire U.S. Constitution as punishment. He ended up memorizing it!
• Record Breaker: Out of the 32 cases he argued before the Supreme Court as a lawyer, he won 29 of them! That’s a Hall of Fame record.
• The Gavel of Justice: As a Justice, he helped make decisions that protected the rights of everyone, including women, prisoners, and people who didn't have much money.

Why June 13 Is Important in Presidential History

This day shows us how a president can help break down barriers and make the country a fairer place. By nominating Thurgood Marshall, Lyndon B. Johnson made sure that the highest court in the land looked more like the people it served. It teaches us that if you study hard and stand up for what is right—just like Thurgood did—you can help change the laws of the whole country.

What do you think?

• If you had to memorize the Constitution, which part would you think is the most important?
• Do you want to learn more about the famous cases Thurgood Marshall won or what it's like to be a Supreme Court Justice?