What became legally sanctioned as part of American life after the Plessy v. Ferguson decision?

The Plessy v. Ferguson decision, issued by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1896, upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal." This ruling legally sanctioned the practice of segregation, particularly in public facilities, schools, and transportation, thereby reinforcing a system of racial discrimination that persisted for decades. The Court's interpretation allowed states to maintain separate facilities for black and white citizens, establishing a framework that justified systemic inequality based on race. This decision had far-reaching implications for American society, entrenching segregation into the fabric of daily life until later civil rights movements began to challenge and ultimately overturn such legal foundations.