Posted: October 18th, 2023

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin in various aspects of American society. The act was proposed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, but faced strong opposition from southern members of Congress who argued that it violated states’ rights and individual liberties. After Kennedy’s assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson took up the cause and urged Congress to pass the bill as a tribute to his predecessor. The act was finally passed in 1964 after a lengthy debate and a historic filibuster in the Senate. The act had several provisions that aimed to end segregation and protect the civil rights of African Americans and other minorities. It banned discrimination in public accommodations, such as hotels, restaurants, theaters and buses. It authorized the federal government to sue states and school districts that maintained segregated schools. It prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, and established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce this provision. It also enforced the constitutional right to vote by abolishing literacy tests and other barriers that prevented Black people from registering and voting. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is considered one of the most significant achievements of the civil rights movement and a major milestone in the history of American democracy. It paved the way for subsequent civil rights legislation, such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It also inspired other movements for social justice, such as the women’s rights movement, the gay rights movement and the immigrant rights movement.

References:

– Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Definition, Summary & Significance | HISTORY. (2023). Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act
– Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Wikipedia. (2023). Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964
– Civil Rights Act (1964) | National Archives. (2023). Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/civil-rights-act
– Jones, J

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