jul 9, 1868 - Ratification of the 14th Amendment - Equal Protection and Citizenship

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On July 9, 1868, U.S. Congress ratified the 14th amendment which was a multi-pronged amendment. The most important protections to come from the 14th amendment was the granting of birthright citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law for all. This amendment granted citizenship for formerly enslaved people and children of slaves effectively viewing former slaves as citizens of the United States who were entitled to the same protections and constitutional rights as any other citizens. This amendment too validated the efforts of abolitionists and abolitionist groups discussed in this timeline. Although on paper formerly enslaved people and other marginalized communities were equally protected under the eyes of the law, in practice there were many legal loopholes and discriminatory policies and legislature passed to continue the oppression and exploitation of marginalized communities. This amendment however, was the foundation for many future civil rights legislation and for civil rights leaders/groups efforts to challenge discriminatory laws (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

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