-
Declaring Independence
Britain had captivity of the United States; however, in 1776, the United States declared its independence from Britain because they believed Parliament had intentions to take their freedom away from them. -
The 14th Amendment
In 1868, the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment gives citizenship to everyone born or established in the country, including formerly enslaved people. This amendment gave the government power to punish states that betrayed citizens' rights. -
The 15th Amendment
In 1870, the United States Constitution's 15th Amendment forbids the government from refusing a person the right to vote on the grounds of race, color, or prior servitude. Although this was a huge step, women were still prohibited to vote. -
The Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act is enacted in 1882, limiting Chinese immigration to the country and preventing them from obtaining citizenship. This ensured very few Chinese were able to enter the U.S. Later in 1882, it placed an act on Chinese who were already in the U.S. If they left America, they were subjected to not return. -
The 19th Amendment
In 1920, The United States Constitution's 19th Amendment gives women the right to vote which was a monumental event that impacted women forever. Although this was a success in history, this right is recognized to be given to women way too late. -
Indian Citizenship Act
President Calvin Coolidge created a law that all Native Americans born in the country are now citizens according to the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. This was a marker that many Native Americans devoted themselves to achieving. Native Americans were treated poorly by Americans since the beginning, so this act is a small gesture that should have been awarded centuries before. -
Executive Order 9066
Executive Order 9066, which permits the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, is signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942. Japanese Americans were incarcerated if deemed a threat to security and were forced to be removed. -
Brown v. Board of Education
in 1954, the civil rights movement achieves a major victory as the Supreme Court determines in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. The court ultimately ruled that segregation was a violation and causing much damage, and granted them to have equal protection. -
The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids discrimination based on national origin, race, color, religion, sex, or other factors. This act was helpful in diminishing discrimination in public places and helped provide protection to those targeted. -
The Voting Rights Act
Guaranteed by the 15th amendment, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson outlawed racial discrimination in elections. It provided equal rights to all African Americans to vote with the rest of the Americans and was one of the most controversial acts to be passed. -
The 26th Amendment
In 1971, the U.S. Constitution's 26th Amendment lowers the voting age to 18. Americans thought if they were old enough to fight and die in a war, they were old enough to vote. The slogan "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" became one of the most widespread sayings in the act to help create this movement.