Thurgood Marshall Monument, Baltimore

The Thurgood Marshall Monument in Baltimore is a memorial dedicated to one of the most prominent civil rights leaders in American history. Located on the site of the old Court of Appeals building in Baltimore, the monument honors Thurgood Marshall's contributions to the fight for equal rights under the law.

Thurgood Marshall was a native of Baltimore, where he graduated from Frederick Douglass High School before attending Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and Howard University in Washington, D.C. It was at Howard University that Marshall first met the legendary civil rights lawyer Charles Houston, who would become a mentor to him.

After earning his law degree, Marshall returned to Baltimore and began his long association with the NAACP, where he fought tirelessly for equal rights for African Americans. In 1967, he became the first African American to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he served with distinction for many years.

The Thurgood Marshall Monument was unveiled in 1996, three years after Marshall's death. The state of Maryland decided to honor him with a memorial at the State House in Annapolis, and a competition was held to determine the design of the monument. The winning design was created by Maryland artist Toby Mendez, who also created a bust of Marshall that is featured in an exhibit about his life at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The Thurgood Marshall Monument in Baltimore is an important reminder of Marshall's legacy and his tireless work in the fight for civil rights. It serves as a testament to his courage, his dedication, and his unwavering commitment to justice for all people, regardless of race or ethnicity.