#OnThisDay, Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act (CRA) of 1960, which served to eliminate loopholes left by the CRA of 1957. It established federal inspection of voter-registration polls and addressed discriminatory laws and practices in the segregated South that disenfranchised blacks and Hispanics. #CivilRights #VotingRights
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:
--Civil Rights Digital Library: http://crdl.usg.edu/collections/eisenhowercivilrightsfiles
--Eisenhower Library: https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/research/subject-guides/pdf/civil-rights-guide-to-studies.pdf
-- Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/legal-events-timeline.html