ADVERTISEMENT
It's hard to believe that as recently as 1967, interracial marriage was illegal in many states. You read that right: Until June 12, 1967, when the Supreme Court struck down state bans against interracial marriage in the monumental case of Loving v. Virginia, interracial marriage was illegal in 16 states.
It all began in 1958, a few days after the June wedding of Richard and Mildred Loving, reports NPR. Woken by policemen with flashlights barging into their bedroom, the interracial newlyweds were arrested for committing what the state of Virginia then called "unlawful cohabitation" and offered a truly depressing choice: banishment from the state or imprisonment. So the couple fled Virginia, asked the American Civil Liberties Union to take their case, and soon their righteous fight made its way to the Supreme Court, where it was thankfully overturned.
Years later, graphic designer Ken Tanabe learned of the monumental ruling while studying at Parsons the New School for Design in New York City and, being of an interracial heritage himself, decided to make it the subject of his graduate thesis project.
And so, Loving Day was born.
This weekend, as celebrations occur around the country, let's take a moment to enjoy some heartwarming photos of happy families from the crowd-sourced Tumblr, We Are The 15 Percent.
ADVERTISEMENT