Evolution of the national citizenry

1776 - Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Event: Declaration of Independence is adopted.
Significance: Asserts that "all men are created equal" but initially applies primarily to white, land-owning men.

1787 - U.S. Constitution

Sep 17, 1787

Event: U.S. Constitution is drafted and ratified.
Significance: Establishes the framework of the government but does not explicitly define citizenship.

1790 - Naturalization Act

Mar 26, 1790

Event: Naturalization Act of 1790.
Significance: Limits naturalization to "free white persons" of "good moral character," excluding non-whites from citizenship.

1865 - 13th Amendment

Jan 31, 1865

Event: Ratification of the 13th Amendment.
Significance: Abolishes slavery, a crucial step towards granting former slaves citizenship.

1868 - 14th Amendment

Jun 8, 1868

Event: Ratification of the 14th Amendment.
Significance: Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, establishing the Citizenship Clause.

1870 - Naturalization Act of 1870

Jul 14, 1870

Event: Naturalization Act of 1870.
Significance: Extends naturalization rights to individuals of African descent but continues to exclude Asians and other non-whites.

1882 - Chinese Exclusion Act

May 6, 1882

Event: Enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Significance: Prohibits immigration and naturalization of Chinese laborers, reflecting racial exclusion policies.

1920 - 19th Amendment

Aug 26, 1920

Event: Ratification of the 19th Amendment.
Significance: Grants women the right to vote, expanding the concept of citizenship to include women's suffrage.

1924 - Indian Citizenship Act

Jun 2, 1924

Event: Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.
Significance: Grants U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.

1943 - Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act

Dec 17, 1943

Event: Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Significance: Allows Chinese immigrants to become naturalized citizens and ends explicit racial exclusion in immigration law.

1952 - Immigration and Nationality Act (McCarran-Walter Act)

Jun 27, 1952

Event: Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
Significance: Ends racial restrictions in naturalization but maintains quotas based on national origins.

1964 - Civil Rights Act

Jul 2, 1964

Event: Enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Significance: Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, reinforcing equal rights for all citizens.

1965 - Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart-Celler Act)

Dec 1, 1965

Event: Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
Significance: Abolishes national origins quotas, opening immigration to non-European countries and diversifying the population.

1986 - Immigration Reform and Control Act

Nov 6, 1986

Event: Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Significance: Grants amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants, allowing them a pathway to citizenship.

2001 - USA PATRIOT Act

Oct 26, 2001

Event: Enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act.
Significance: Expands government powers for surveillance and enforcement, impacting the civil liberties of citizens and non-citizens.

2021 - U.S. Citizenship Act

Feb 18, 2021

Event: Introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.
Significance: Proposes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, aiming to modernize the immigration system.