Mitchell v. United States was a landmark Supreme Court case in Black history that took place in 1959. The case centered around Autherine Lucy and her attempt to integrate the University of Alabama. Autherine Lucy was the first African American student to enroll in the University of Alabama, but she faced harassment and threats from white students. The university ultimately expelled her, citing safety concerns.

Lucy turned to the NAACP for legal assistance, and the case reached the Supreme Court as Mitchell v. United States. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Lucy, stating that the university had violated her constitutional rights by expelling her based on her race.

Although Autherine Lucy was not able to complete her studies at the University of Alabama at that time, the case set an important precedent for the civil rights movement and the fight against racial segregation in education. Lucy's courage and determination paved the way for future generations of Black students to pursue higher education without facing discrimination.