In 1958, Mildred Delores Jeter wed Richard Perry Loving
in Washington, D.C. because it was a criminal offense for
an interracial couple to marry in their home state of Virginia,
as was the case in 16 other states in the Union at the time. Their struggle to live beyond the color line, against the backdrop of the emerging Civil Rights movement, was paralleled by their desire and God-given right to love beyond the color line. A modest couple pursuing life, liberty and their own definition of happiness, they were silently defiant in demanding their right to stand before both God and man, lawfully recognized now as husband and wife.

The courage of Mr. and Mrs. Loving, with the aid of the
ACLU, led to the filing of a lawsuit (Loving v. Virginia) that would protest the anti-miscegenation laws that had existed since 1883. Their case was argued all the way to the United States Supreme Court, which in 1967 ruled it was unconstitutional to prevent the marriage of a man and woman based on race. This was a victory for human rights, equal rights, and the right to love unconditionally.

When Love Happens proudly salutes Mr. and Mrs. Richard Loving for their commitment to one another and for the gift
of hope that love will prevail.

For more information about this extraordinary period in American history, please visit www.lovingday.org