Dred Scott Decision Finally Overturned

On March 31,  2021, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a resolution formally condemning the Missouri Supreme Court’s 1852 ruling against Dred Scott denying the slave his freedom. The House voted unanimously, 152-0 to pass the resolution. The Missouri State Senate passed a similar action.

President Joe Biden also signed a bill to remove a marble bust of Chief Justice Roger Taney, who wrote the court’s Dred Scott decision. Taney wrote that Dred Scott could not sue for his freedom since he was an African-American and therefore was not an American citizen.  Taney went on to say that Scott was considered property and that under the Fifth Amendment property could not be taken away from Scott's owner.

The Old Missouri Courthouse is expected to reopen in 2025 after renovations. One of the renovations will include a new exhibit to Dred and Harriet Scott, highlighting the family’s fight for freedom and St. Louis’ role in the historic court decision.

You can read more about House Concurrent Resolution 4 here.