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Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the United States.
Significance: This amendment ended legal slavery, marking a foundational step in American civil rights. It helped the movement by legally freeing millions and setting a precedent for future rights expansions. -
Fourteenth Amendment was ratified, guaranteeing citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former slaves.
Significance: This amendment became the legal backbone for many later civil rights cases, including those addressing race, gender, and disability. It helped the movement by providing a constitutional basis for equality. -
Court ruled that racial segregation was constitutional as long as facilities were “separate but equal,” legitimizing Jim Crow laws.
Significance: This decision severely hurt the civil rights movement by upholding legal segregation for nearly 60 years. -
19th amendment was ratified, prohibiting the denial of the right to vote on the basis of sex.
Significance: This amendment was a major victory for gender equality, helping the women’s rights movement by enfranchising millions of women. -
Harry S. Truman signed an executive order ending racial segregation in the U.S. military.
Significance: This action helped the movement by setting a precedent for federal desegregation and equal opportunity. -
Court unanimously ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson in education.
Significance: This landmark case helped the movement by striking down legal segregation and inspiring further civil rights activism. -
Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Significance: This law helped the movement by outlawing segregation and unequal application of voter registration requirements. -
Rights Act was enacted to remove barriers preventing African Americans from voting, such as literacy tests and poll taxes.
Significance: This act helped the movement by enforcing the Fifteenth Amendment and increasing minority voter participation. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments was passed, banning sex discrimination in federally funded education programs.
Significance: This law helped the movement by increasing opportunities for women in academics and athletics. -
Signed into law, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, and public accommodations.
Significance: This act helped the movement by expanding civil rights protections to Americans with disabilities. -
Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all 50 states.
Significance: This decision helped the movement by advancing LGBTQ+ rights and affirming marriage equality.