Final answer:
In the case of United States v. Virginia (1896), the Supreme Court ruled that male-only admissions policies at state-supported military academies were unconstitutional.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the case of United States v. Virginia (1896), the Supreme Court ruled that male-only admissions policies at state-supported military academies were unconstitutional. The Court held that the policy violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal rights and protections under the law for all individuals regardless of gender. This landmark decision paved the way for greater gender equality in education and set a precedent against sex-based discrimination in public institutions.