Events - Event View

#OnThisDay, congress overrode a veto by President Andrew Johnson and enacted into law the Civil Rights Act (CRA) of 1866, which defined citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by the law. The CRA of 1866 was enacted post Civil War to protect the civil rights of persons of African descent born in or brought to the US. #CivilRights

Congress passed the act on March 13, 1866.
President Andrew Johnson vetoed the act on March 27, 1866
Congress overrode the veto and enacted the CRA on April 9, 1866

Congress passed the bill to support the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime.

Timeline:
-- 1866 Johnson vetos CRA of 1866, but veto is overridden by Congress (define citizenship and guaranteed citizens equal protection)
-- 1875 Grant signs CRA of 1875 (guaranteed African Americans equal treatment in public accommodations, public transportation, and prohibited their exclusion from jury service)
-- 1883 SCOTUS rules 7-1 that CRA of 1875 is unconstitutional
-- 1957 Eisenhower signs CRA of 1957 (forms the Civil Rights Commission)
-- 1960 Eisenhower signs CRA of 1960 (guaranteed qualified voters the right to register to vote
-- 1964 Johnson signs CRA of 1964 (prohibited discrimination in public accommodations and employment)
-- 1968 Johnson signs CRA of 1968 (guaranteed equal housing opportunities)
-- 1991 Bush signs the CRA of 1991 (expanded the rights of women and disabled persons)

Resources:
Johnson's Veto: https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/march-27-1866-veto-message-civil-rights-legislation
Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/legal-events-timeline.html