1940s
As the U.S. joins the war against the Axis powers, ADL bolsters support by promoting unity among Americans of all backgrounds in the fight to defeat totalitarianism.
In an important sign of ADL's growing effectiveness and stature, Henry Ford, who previously promoted antisemitic propaganda, sends a letter in January 1942 to ADL National Chair Sigmund Livingston expressing a belief "that the hate-mongering prevalent for some time in this country against the Jews, is a distinct disservice to our country, and to the peace and welfare of humanity."
ADL launches massive research operations to uncover Nazi supporters and hate groups in the U.S., making its findings available to government agencies in Washington, D.C. and to the press. Increasingly, the FBI and the media turn to ADL for its expertise.
ADL files its first amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in 1947. In Shelley v. Kraemer, the High Court supports ADL's view that restrictive housing covenants are unconstitutional and therefore unenforceable.
The following year, ADL files a brief in McCollum v. Board of Education, a church-state separation case, opposing the constitutionality of released time to allow students to attend religious instruction in public school classrooms.
1950s
ADL publishes the 1952 exposé, The Troublemakers, documenting how Arab propaganda in the U.S. explicitly sought to foment anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiments.
As anti-Communist fervor and conspiracy sweep the country, ADL is a premier opponent of character assassinations, culminating in President Dwight Eisenhower's historic 1953 televised speech, during ADL's 40th Anniversary celebration, denouncing Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Presaging the agency's activist support for legislation to end racial discrimination, ADL files an amicus brief in Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court school desegregation case.
ADL intensifies the fight against anti-Jewish discrimination in employment, housing and accommodation, and mounts a "Crack the Quota" campaign to eliminate barriers to college and university admissions for Jews.
Six southern states and 50 communities enact laws that ban the wearing of masks during public demonstrations, as championed by ADL. By impeding the KKK's efforts to terrorize minorities anonymously, the laws result in a dramatic decrease in Klan membership.
ADL embarks on a campaign to produce educational and cultural media promoting religious and racial acceptance. In December 1959, in conjunction with ADL's 46th annual meeting, the CBS television network broadcasts "A Salute to the American Theatre," featuring excerpts from Broadway productions on the theme of diversity.