July 2, 1964: The Civil Rights Act becomes law in the USA

In spite of the provisions of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, not every American was treated with equality in daily life. President John F. Kennedy started the impetus to insure equal rights in 1963, but he was assassinated before this act was passed. President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed it through to completion the following year, just before the 4th of July.

Happily for the American nation, the Civil Rights Act was not limited to race; color, religion, sex and national origin were also protected. This Act is still in force and has been the legal basis for many key decisions on who deserves to be treated with equality in the eyes of the law.

 "The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the nation's premier civil rights legislation. The Act outlawed discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, required equal access to public places and employment, and enforced desegregation of schools and the right to vote. It did not end discrimination, but it did open the door to further progress."

This quote is from this article: https://www.nps.gov/articles/civil-rights-act.htm

President Lyndon B. Johnson at the signing the 1964 Civil Rights Act. White House East Room. People watching include Attorney General Robert Kennedy, Senator Hubert Humphrey, First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover, Speaker of the House John McCormack. Television cameras are broadcasting the ceremony.