Thurgood Marshall: The Path to the High Court
On the sunny morning of June 13, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson stood in the Rose Garden of the White House to make an announcement that would mark a major turning point in American legal history. Facing a gathering of reporters, the president nominated Thurgood Marshall to serve as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Senate, Marshall would become the very first African American justice on the nation's highest court. President Johnson stated that Marshall had earned the appointment through decades of distinguished service, declaring that the choice was the right thing to do, at the right time, and in the right place.
- segregation:
- The enforced separation of different racial groups in daily life.
- precedent:
- An earlier court decision that guides future rulings on similar legal questions.
- unconstitutional:
- Violating or not allowed by the constitution of a nation.
- appellate:
- Related to court appeals and the review of decisions made by lower courts.
- tenure:
- The period or duration of time that a person holds an official position.
- confirmation:
- The formal approval of an appointment by an official governing body.
- perseverance:
- Steadfast persistence in pursuing a goal despite difficulties or obstacles.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How did experiencing racial segregation early in life shape Thurgood Marshall's professional education and legal career?
- 2What core legal principle taught by Charles Hamilton Houston guided Marshall's approach to the law?
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About this biography passage for 6th Grade
“Thurgood Marshall: The Path to the High Court” is a biography reading passage about Thurgood Marshall, written for 6th Grade. It takes about 5 minutes to read (741 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.