(Source: little--hope)
May 25th 1977: Star Wars released
On this day in 1977, the iconic film ‘Star Wars’ (later retitled ‘Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope’) was released. It was the first in a six film saga, and was written and directed by George Lucas. It was not expected to be a huge success, but when it was released it earned $460 million in the United States and $337 million overseas, thus defeating ‘Jaws’ as the highest-grossing film (surpassed by ‘E.T. the Extra Terrestrial’ in 1983). Star Wars was a groundbreaking piece of cinema and its popularity endures.
(via pbsthisdayinhistory)
May 17, 1954
Supreme Court Rules Against Segregation in Brown vs. Board of Education
On this day in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled against school segregation in the Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka ruling.
Although African Americans first sued (unsuccessfully) to stop mandated racially segregated education in 1849, the successful lawsuits known as Brown v. Board of Education were the culmination of a litigation strategy initiated in the 1930’s.
For more information on the this history of segregation, check out our Evolution of Brown vs. Board of Education fact sheet.
(via pbsthisdayinhistory)