On July 2nd, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, marking a historic moment in American history. This month, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of this pivotal legislation that prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The Act also outlawed unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination.
The journey of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 started long before it made its way to Congress, shaped by pivotal moments that paved the way for its momentous passage:
1946: President Harry Truman establishes the President’s Committee on Civil Rights to investigate civil rights conditions and propose protective measures.
1947: The Committee on Civil Rights produces the report "To Secure These Rights," which advocated for a permanent fair employment practices commission.
1948: Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 desegregated the military and federal workforces and prohibited race-based employment discrimination.
1954: Brown v. Board of Education: The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, following evidence from military integration showing no loss of efficiency and high morale.
1963: The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom featured Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Dr. King later met with President Kennedy to push for bipartisan civil rights legislation.
1964: President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, including Title VII, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment practices.
During his remarks to the American public before the signing, President Johnson stated:
"This Civil Rights Act is a challenge to all of us to go to work in our communities and our States, in our homes and in our hearts, to eliminate the last vestiges of injustice in our beloved country...I urge every American--to join in this effort to bring justice and hope to all our people--and to bring peace to our land. My fellow citizens, we have come now to a time of testing. We must not fail."
Over the years, the Civil Rights Act was amended several times, expanding protections and strengthening the government’s ability to enforce the law.
Today, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 stands as one of the most significant pieces of legislation since the U.S. Bill of Rights. Its passage marked a significant stride toward equality and justice, reflecting America's ongoing pursuit of a fair and inclusive society. It embodies the employment laws that are ensured within Coast Guard by the civil rights staff.