When was the Civil Rights Act passed?

The Civil Rights Act, which is a significant piece of legislation aimed at ending discrimination and promoting equal rights, was actually passed in 1964. This landmark act was a crucial milestone in the American civil rights movement, addressing issues such as segregation in schools, employment discrimination, and inequality in public accommodations.

The 1866 Civil Rights Act indeed addressed certain rights for African Americans post-Civil War, including the right to own property and enter contracts, but the most comprehensive and impactful legislation specifically aimed at civil rights, particularly for racial equality, is the act of 1964. This 1964 act laid the groundwork for future legislation and served to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, making it a cornerstone of civil rights protection in the United States.

While dates like 1776 mark the Declaration of Independence and 1975 also relate to civil rights through the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, they do not pertain directly to the civil rights legislation that sought to address racial discrimination and inequality in the same way as the 1964 Civil Rights Act.