Mildred & Richard Loving led the way to legally make the banning of interracial marriage illegal simply by not accepting the laws that violated their civil rights to share their love and be married. On Loving Day, June 12th, we annually celebrate their bravery and the result of their case.
About Loving Day:
Loving v. Virginia 1967 – the final ruling of this Supreme Court case made anti-miscegenation illegal (these were laws that enforced racial segregation in marriage and intimate relationships – basically making it illegal to marry outside of your own race). By law, people of different racial backgrounds – most notably & controversially black and white – who were married and who wanted to get married, could legally do so in the states that had previously forbade it. Each June 12, we in America commemorate this triumphant feat. Happy Loving Day! I didn’t even know it existed until 2014 when I watched the documentary on Netflix. I highly recommend it.
Quick Facts About Loving Day and Loving vs. Virginia:
- The Loving vs. Virginia U.S. Supreme Court ruling was cited as precedent in U.S. federal court cases about restrictions on same-sex marriage, meaning the fight that the Lovings gave is continuing to help protect the rights of more Americans to this day.
- The court’s decision was unanimous – 9 to 0 voting to overturn the criminal convictions that the Lovings faced for being wed, as well as striking down laws that forbade two people of different races to marry each other.
What Loving Day means to me:
Family means the world to me. Reaching out to my family members, calling to check on my nephew and younger cousins and being on the small committee that plans our family reunion – these all keep us connected. My NeeNee, my mom’s eldest sister, makes sure to keep our ancestry.com account updated with all of the happenings with family near and far. Our family tree stops at a dead halt just a few branches up though.
My maternal Great-Grandmother, Mabel
My Grandfather, Lucian (Mabel’s son)
Many people of European descent can trace their family members back several generations and understand the legacy that they come from. I, being the result of the great American mixing pot, particularly African-American, do not have that luxury. Aside from the fact that slave owners successfully broke all ties of African slaves and their home and lineage, and obliterated their African traditions, I also come from a diverse lineage. Stories of one Granny telling me about “my big fat Indian grandfather” and memories of asking my other Granny “who is that white man on the wall?” (her late husband/my grandfather – who is actually black, possibly with white ancestors) stick out most in my mind. Loving someone of another color was illegal and dangerous, so shame, fear, and law-breaking were associated with interracial relationships. While diversity in all aspects is being shown in a positive light in recent times, before the 1970s, diversity in love was viewed as especially heinous. I still ponder in my mind how in the world the color of skin can create such hate, but I know I will never understand it. I can only promote love.
My great-grandmother, lovingly called “Mama Mable,” is of multiracial heritage. It is believed that her father was a “mulatto” (a derogatory term describing someone of biracial or multiracial heritage). She remembered being raised earlier on by a white school teacher after her mother and grandmother died. Not much else is known of my family’s heritage before her generation. Imagine how much more complete my recorded family tree would be in the absence of racism and laws that sought to keep people of different races separated.
Thanks to people like the Lovings:
I like to think that my great-grandmother and our ancestors are smiling down on me right now. She never knew her real heritage, and she never knew me, but the chains that forbade the former have been broken. The majority of her great-great grandchildren are multiracial, and it is perfectly fine. My best friends come from a wide range of races and ethnicities. I am in a loving interracial relationship, and am blessed to have not experienced any discrimination. The world is still not perfect, but many people have let go of hatred and embraced diversity. We have a long way to go, but thank goodness we aren’t where we used to be. Just a suggestion, though: Let’s make everyday Loving Day ?
Updates – My Family Celebrating Loving Day Over the Years
Loving Day 2015
Our first Loving Day together.
Loving Day 2016
We got married and were 6 months pregnant with Little Boo on Loving Day 2016.
Loving Day 2017
We got to enjoy Loving Day with this little cutie, our Little Boo, in 2017.
Loving Day 2018
Brunch with the fam on Loving Day 2018.
Loving Day 2019
Apparently we sat at home and had the nerve to not even take pictures! Enjoy another picture of Mildred & Richard Loving.
Loving Day 2020
At home photoshoot during the pandemic on our anniversary / Loving Day 2020.
I had never heard of this holiday! I don’t even think I knew about the Supreme Court ruling. I will definitely watch the Netflix documentary. It’s a beautiful holiday- thanks for sharing.
Thank you for stopping by and reading it! I feel its not as well known as it should be, knowing history like that is important so that we don’t repeat it in different situations.
This concept still shocks me! I have several “interracial” couple friends and it blows my mind it was every a law they couldn’t be married. Thanks for posting this. I did not know about Loving Day … going to share the love!
Thanks for sharing the love & for stopping by! 🙂
What a sweet story. I love History and have heard of the Loving’s. I need to find that documentary. Cheers to Love!
It’s called the Loving Story! Historical fiction is my favorite, but I love real stories like this too 🙂
This hits very close to home because I am in an interracial marriage. My husband is Korean and I am Caucasian and of course, our beautiful daughter is mixed. I also have several cousins who are African-American and Caucasian mixed. Fortunately, I was very blessed that my parents have always taught us that God doesn’t see color and neither should we.
That is a blessing. Some folks don’t talk about it at all and some folks spread hate, so thank God for your parents! Diversity is beautiful, and your family sounds lovely!
I love your story! This is fantastic and Happy Loving Day to you! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Mary 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Hey girl! first of all- off topic but I love the name Addie. That’s what I want to name my first baby! Second of all- it’s so awesome how close you are with your family!!
Aaaahhhhh, another Addie in the world. DO IT! I was named for my paternal grandma, who I was blessed to have known well 🙂 Thank you, Chelsea. Much love!
Thank you so very much for this information! I didn’t know that this was actually a situation. I’m very excited to watch the documentary and learn more about this. I am in a interracial relationship myself and we do have a son together. We are not married yet and I’m so very glad that thanks to the individuals who fought for our right to get married in the future.
They are a blessing to us all, Christa. I love that Mildred was even progressive when it came to same sex marriage. When reporters would ask her about it and if she knew that she was promoting it in a way, too – she let them know that love is love, no matter what!
Every year I’m reminded how lucky I am that this ruling came down. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family history <3
Happy Loving Day!
It truly is a blessing. Thanks for letting me share your story on here, too, Sevi! 🙂
This is one of the sweetest posts I’ve ever read. 🙂 So happy for you – and many others. Going to tweet this post! Happy Loving Day!
Thank you Sadie, and for all the social media love you shared, too! 🙂
This is such a beautiful post with a powerful message. Thanks for sharing and also making me aware of this Holiday 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Velaundra! I’m glad you’re aware of it now, I hope you spread the word and the love 🙂
i LOVE this. What a cool celebration, a cool and catchy title (originally the reason I clicked over,) what a cool….just everything. So happy you’ve never faced discrimination in your relationship. I dated a Dominican (who looked black) for 2 years once, I live in the south, and I cant say the same. <3
Hahaha, yaye for the title working! I’m trying to improve those catchy titles. The south can be so rough about it, and we are blessed to be surrounded by a very diverse community. I pray that it stays that way.
I love the old pictures! As Shelly said my parents taught us not to see race. My mother is part Chinese and was always bullied in school. I have made sure to teach my boys to accept everyone. We need more love in the world. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks, Jen! Its bad your mom had to go through that, but I’m glad it taught her to teach love, and you’re still instilling that into future generations! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I absolutely love this post more than you’ll ever know! That last line really resonates. So beautiful. Happy Loving Day to you and yours! <3
I’m so glad you do, Taylor. I was somewhat hesitant about writing about it originally, so your words mean so much to me! 🙂
I never knew of this day until I read your post so thank you for sharing your story!
Thanks for reading, Kelly! Glad to share the information with anyone 🙂
Great story, thanks for sharing.
I never knew of Loving Day before.
It is sad that even today people are against interracial love.
I didn’t even know about that law. Sad things were happening those days. The whole slavery thing was sad. We’re happy those days are over. But we definitely have to remember the history, teach it our kids and make sure it will never happen again. Thanks for sharing this story!
Love this post! The pictures are timeless and beautiful! Happy Loving Day!