Civil Rights Timeline

13th Amendment

Dec 6, 1865

Explanation
The 13th Amendment prohibits involuntary servitude or slavery, unless required as punishment for a violation of law.

14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1868

Explanation
Grants citizenship to all people born and naturalized in the U.S. Guarantees all citizens "equal protection of the laws."

15th Amendment

Feb 3, 1870

Explanation
Granted African-American men the right to vote.

Plessy v. Ferguson

May 18, 1896

Explanation
Decided that racial segregation was constitutional under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

Explanation
Granted women the right to vote

Brown v. Topeka Board of Education

May 17, 1954

Explanation
Decided that racial segregation in public schools were unconstitutional.

Civil Rights Act of 1957

Sep 9, 1957

Explanation
Established a division that would prosecute individuals that conspired to deny another person's right to vote.

Civil Rights Act of 1960

May 6, 1960

Explanation
Prohibited anyone obstructing another's attempt to register to vote (through taxes, etc.)

24th Amendment

Jan 23, 1964

Explanation
Prohibits Congress and the states from conditioning the right to vote in federal elections because of voting taxes.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

Explanation
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in hiring, promoting, and firing as well as in public accommodations and federally funded programs.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

Explanation
Allows for the voting for Indians

Voting Rights Act of 1982

Jun 22, 1970

Explanation
Prohibited violations of voting rights by any practices that discriminated based on race.

Voting Rights Act of 1975

Jun 22, 1970

Explanation
Protections of members of "language minorities."

Voting Rights Act of 1970

Jun 22, 1970

Explanation
Lowed the voting age to 18 for all federal, state, and local elections.

26th Amendment

Jul 1, 1971

Explanation
Allowed citizens to vote at age 18 instead of 21.