09 Feb 1868 14th Amendment ratified extending citizenship and rights to former slaves. Continue reading
09 Feb 1964: The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 becomes law, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and outlawing discrimination based on race, sex, religion, color or national origin. The act also creates the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to enforce federal job discrimination laws. One immediate effect of the act: an end to segregated facilities requiring Black Americans and Mexican-Americans to use only designated areas. Continue reading
09 Feb 1952: Immigration and Naturalization Act grants citizenship and the right to vote to Asians. Continue reading
09 Feb 2021: Juneteenth is made a federal holiday. “America’s second Independence Day” commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, celebrated on the annviersary of the 1865 General Order No. 3, which emancipated enslaved people in Texas. Continue reading
