"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark civil rights and labor law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin."
Understand the federal government's role in protecting civil rights and liberties, including discrimination and voting rights.
The U.S. Constitution: The foundation upon which all civil rights and liberties are built, including the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments.
The Civil Rights Movement: The social, political and legal struggle for African Americans to gain equal treatment under the law and full citizenship rights that began in the mid-twentieth century.
Civil Liberties: Basic freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, and the right to privacy and due process.
Federal Agencies: Government departments responsible for enforcing and upholding civil rights laws, including the Department of Justice, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Civil Rights Division.
The Courts: How the judiciary has interpreted and applied civil rights laws and protections over time, including landmark Supreme Court cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, and Roe v. Wade.
Discrimination: The various forms of discrimination prohibited by law, including race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.
Affirmative Action: Programs designed to promote diversity and equal opportunity in employment and education by giving disadvantaged groups a leg up in the application process.
Voting Rights: The right to vote and how it has been protected (and sometimes infringed upon) through legal means such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Hate Crimes: The violence and discrimination directed toward particular groups, often motivated by prejudice or bias.
Police Misconduct: Issues of police brutality and accountability, and what legal protections and procedures are in place to address these concerns.
Freedom of Speech: This right protects the freedom to express opinions or ideas without censorship, restraint, or fear of retaliation.
Freedom of Religion: This right allows individuals to exercise their faith or belief systems without government interference or persecution.
Freedom of Press: This right safeguards the right to publish, print, or distribute media without censorship, restraint, or fear of retaliation.
Right to Assembly and Association: This right guarantees the right to organize, gather, and associate with others for peaceful purposes and the right to protest.
Right to Petition: This right protects the right to address the government with grievances and request remedies.
Freedom of Thought and Conscience: This right provides the freedom to think, believe, and form personal opinions without coercion, persuasion, or violence.
Right to Due Process: This right ensures fair legal processes and procedures for individuals accused of crimes or facing government actions that could deprive them of life, liberty, or property.
Right to Privacy: This right provides individuals the right to keep personal information private and free from government intrusion without a valid reason.
Right to Equal Protection: This right guarantees equal treatment under the law, regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or other characteristics.
Right to Vote: This right enables citizens to participate in the democratic process and choose their representatives without prejudice or discrimination.
Property Rights: This right ensures that individuals and businesses have the right to own and control their property without undue interference from the government.
Right to Education: This right guarantees access to education and protects against discrimination in educational settings.
Right to Work: This right guarantees the right to secure employment without discrimination and the right to make collective bargaining agreements.
Rights for Individuals with Disabilities: This right ensures that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities and protections under the law.
Immigration Rights: This right ensures that immigrants have access to due process, equal protection, and other basic rights and protections.
"It prohibits unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination."
"The act 'remains one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history'."
"Initially, powers given to enforce the act were weak."
"But these were supplemented during later years."
"Congress asserted its authority to legislate under several different parts of the United States Constitution, principally its enumerated power to regulate interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause of Article I, Section VIII, its duty to guarantee all citizens equal protection of the laws under the Fourteenth Amendment, and its duty to protect voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment."
"The legislation was proposed by President John F. Kennedy in June 1963."
"[It] was opposed by filibuster in the Senate."
"President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed the bill forward."
"The United States House of Representatives passed the bill on February 10, 1964."
"After a 72-day filibuster, it passed the United States Senate on June 19, 1964."
"The final vote was 290–130 in the House of Representatives and 73–27 in the Senate."
"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Johnson at the White House on July 2, 1964."
"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
"It prohibits racial segregation in schools and public accommodations."
"Its duty to protect voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment."
"It remains one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history."
"After Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed the bill forward."
"After a 72-day filibuster, it passed the United States Senate on June 19, 1964."
"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Johnson at the White House."