Tenth in a series from AAHAWM honoring Black History Month
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were two of the most important pieces of legislation passed during the Civil Rights Movement. These laws helped to end legal segregation and discrimination against African Americans and other minority groups in the United States.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964. The law prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment, education, and public accommodations. This act helped to end legal segregation in the South and laid the foundation for further civil rights legislation.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Johnson on August 6, 1965. The law aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans and other minority groups from exercising their right to vote. The act prohibited discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests and other voter registration requirements that were specifically designed to disenfranchise minority voters.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were major milestones in the Civil Rights Movement and helped to bring about significant changes in the lives of African Americans and other minority groups. These laws helped to end legal segregation, protect voting rights, and open up opportunities for greater political and economic participation for minorities.
However, despite these important laws, discrimination and racial inequality still exist in the United States, and the fight for civil rights continues. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were important steps forward, but there is still much work to be done to fully achieve the goal of equality and justice for all.
Sources:
- Civil Rights Act of 1964, U.S. Department of Justice (https://www.justice.gov/crt/civil-rights-act-1964)
- Voting Rights Act of 1965, U.S. Department of Justice (https://www.justice.gov/crt/voting-rights-act-1965)
- Civil Rights Act of 1964, History (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act)
- Voting Rights Act of 1965, History (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act)