Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark US civil rights and labor law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on 2 July 1964, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. It prohibits unequal voter registration requirements, segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination. Proposed by President John F. Kennedy in June 1963, it passed after a 72-day Senate filibuster, 73-27 in the Senate and 290-130 in the House.