Congress Passes the Voting Rights Act
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Human Rights Series
- Categories: Government and Politics, Social Issues, Reform, and Protest
- Subcategories: African Americans, Blacks, Race, Ethnicity, Racism, Civil Rights, Minority Rights, Minorities, Laws, Acts, Legislation, Human Rights, Elections, Voting
- Curriculum: American History 1951-present, African American History
- Geographical Location: Washington, D.C.
- Date: August 6, 1965
Article abstract: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was the most significant extension of voting rights to African Americans since the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Summary of Event
The Voting Rights Act was the culmination of a ninety-five-year effort to extend voting rights to all Americans regardless of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” These words are from the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave Congress the power to pass “appropriate legislation” to ensure voting rights....
[The entire page is 1740 words long]
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