March 6, 1857: US Supreme Court Rules on the Dred Scott Decision
On this day in 1857, in the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, the United States Supreme Court declared that all blacks — slaves as well as well as free — could never become citizens of the United States. The decision would further polarize the nation on the institution of slavery and become a major step toward its ultimate abolishment.
Revisit this and other critical moments during America’s arduous journey through slavery in a special collection from PBS.
Image: Library of Congress
Never forget that legality does not automatically equate to justice. Laws must be designed to serve justice, not the other way around. If a law is unjust, it has no place in civil society. If you want peace, work for justice.
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