The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has played a crucial role in the history of African American civil rights. Founded in 1940 by Thurgood Marshall and his colleagues as a part of the NAACP, the LDF sought to challenge racial segregation and discrimination through litigation. The organization was instrumental in several key legal victories during the civil rights movement, including the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which led to the desegregation of public schools.

The Legal Defense Fund continued to work on a variety of civil rights cases, fighting for equality and justice in education, housing, employment, and voting rights. The organization has also been involved in advocating for criminal justice reform and addressing systemic racism in the legal system.

Today, the Legal Defense Fund, now known as the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), continues its mission to fight for racial justice and equality through litigation, advocacy, and outreach efforts. It remains a leading voice in the ongoing struggle for civil rights, working to address the legacy of racism and discrimination in America.