Gaines v. Canada was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in 1938 that challenged the segregation of African Americans in graduate and professional schools. Lloyd Gaines, an African American man from Missouri, applied to the University of Missouri School of Law, which did not admit black students.

Gaines argued that Missouri's separate but equal provision denied him his constitutional right to equal protection under the law. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gaines, stating that Missouri must either admit him to the law school or establish a separate but equal facility for black students.

However, Missouri chose not to admit Gaines and instead established a makeshift law school for African Americans. Gaines disappeared in 1939 under mysterious circumstances and was never heard from again. Despite his disappearance, the case set an important precedent in the fight against segregation in higher education and paved the way for future civil rights victories.