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1963
Congress passes the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which protects men and women who perform substantially equal work in the same establishment from sex-based wage discrimination. The Department of Labor is given authority to enforce the new law. -
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Racial Hiring System
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1965
EEOC opens its doors for business on July 2, 1965 one year after Title becomes a law. EEOC has a budget of $2.25 million and approximately 100 employees. -
1966
EEOC opens its first field office in Dallas, Texas. By year's end, the office is relocated to Austin, Texas. Three other field offices open this year Atlanta, Chicago and Cleveland. -
1967
Congress passes the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protecting individuals who are between 40 and 65 years of age from discrimination in employment. Originally, the Department of Labor not the EEOC has enforcement responsibility. -
1972
Congress gives EEOC the authority to file lawsuits against private companies. It also applies Title to the entire federal government, and to all state and local government agencies with at least 15 employees. -
1973
Congress passes the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 501 prohibits the Federal Government from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. -
1990
President George H.W. Bush signs into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ADA. EEOC is given responsibility for enforcing Title I of the ADA which prohibits private employers, state and local governments, unions and employment agencies from discriminating against people with disabilities in employment. Title I does not become effective until two years after the President signs the bill. -
2008
President George W. Bush signs into law the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. EEOC is given authority to enforce Title 2 of the Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on genetic information. -
2009
President Barack H. Obama signs into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. The Act addresses when pay discrimination charges can be filed with EEOC. This Act was the first bill signed into law by President Obama.