The Civil Rights Act of 1964

The July 2, 1964 signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 triggered a ban on discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

The Act's provisions are very important in protecting the right of individuals to be free from discrimination in places of public accomodation, in government, and in employment.

President John F. Kennedy on June 11, 1963 promised a bill that would provide "the kind of equality of treatment which we would want for ourselves."

Pictured above, President Lyndon Johnson addresses the media moments before signing the Act, in front of civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Whitney Young, as well as President Kennedy's brother Robert.

More about the Act can be found here.