Civil Rights Act Explained
Civil Rights Act may refer to several acts of the United States Congress, including:
- Civil Rights Act of 1866, extending the rights of emancipated slaves by stating that any person born in the United States regardless of race is an American citizen
- Civil Rights Act of 1871, prohibiting race-based violence against African Americans (see also Enforcement Acts, three Acts in 1870–71)
- Civil Rights Act of 1875, prohibiting discrimination in "public accommodations", which was found unconstitutional in 1883 as Congress could not regulate conduct of individuals
- Civil Rights Act of 1957, establishing the Civil Rights Commission
- Civil Rights Act of 1960, establishing federal inspection of local voter registration polls
- Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin by federal and state governments as well as public places
- Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, creed, and national origin
- Civil Rights Act of 1990, a bill that would have made it easier for plaintiffs to win civil rights cases; was vetoed by President George H. W. Bush
- Civil Rights Act of 1991, providing the right to trial by jury on discrimination claims and introducing the possibility of emotional distress damages, while limiting the amount that a jury could award
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