The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed in 1868, is a pivotal piece of legislation in Black history. This amendment granted citizenship to all individuals born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves who had been emancipated after the Civil War. The amendment also included the Equal Protection Clause, which guarantees all citizens equal protection under the law.

The 14th Amendment was instrumental in advancing civil rights for African Americans by legally establishing their citizenship and providing a basis for challenging discriminatory laws and practices. It laid the foundation for landmark civil rights decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and Loving v. Virginia (1967), which ended racial segregation in schools and legalized interracial marriage, respectively.

Despite the progress made through the 14th Amendment, racial inequality and discrimination have persisted in various forms throughout American history. However, the amendment remains an essential tool in the ongoing fight for racial equality and social justice.