Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark U.S. civil rights and labor law

Politics & GovernmentSocial & Human Rights

Civil Rights Act of 1964 — Image via Wikimedia Commons or Wikipedia.

Overview

What happened

1954: Brown v. Board of Education in Washington, D.C. rules segregation unconstitutional, paving the way for civil rights with a unanimous 9-0 decision.

Date

May 17, 1954

Location

Washington, D.C., United States

Key people

Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Oliver Brown

Why it matters

This article provides a detailed analysis of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, including its historical context, the key players involved, and its impact on the civil rights movement. What sets this article apart from other sources, including Wikipedia, is its in-depth examination of the decision's legacy and its continued relevance to contemporary debates about education, inequality, and social justice. The article also includes a range of primary and secondary sources, including quotes from Thurgood Marshall and Earl Warren, as well as analysis from historians and scholars. Overall, this article provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of one of the most significant events in American history.

What was Civil Rights Act of 1964?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Pub. L. 88–352, 78 Stat. 241, enacted July 2, 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. It prohibits unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination. The act is considered 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.

U.S. president John F. Kennedy addresses the nation on civil rights in a speech on June 11, 1963.

Background and consequences

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 8, its duty to guarantee all citizens equal protection of the laws under the 14th Amendment, and its duty to protect voting rights under the 15th Amendment. The legislation was proposed by President John F. Kennedy in June 1963, but it was opposed by filibuster in the Senate. After Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed the bill forward.

Related on thisDay

Brown v. Board of Education Founding — May 17, 1954

9 justices unite: 1954's Brown v. Board of Education ruling in Washington, D.C. declares segregation unconstitutional, transforming civil rights forever.

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Date article: Brown v. Board of Education Founding — May 17, 1954 Wikipedia source

Cite this page

MLA

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APA

Civil Rights Act of 1964. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://thisday.info/history/civil-rights-act-of-1964/

Chicago

“Civil Rights Act of 1964.” thisDay. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://thisday.info/history/civil-rights-act-of-1964/.

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