mar 13, 1866 - Congress Passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866

Description:

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 is notable for being the nation’s first civil rights law. Under its conditions, all people born in the United States (besides Native Americans) were entitled to citizenship. This also gave all citizens equal rights, regardless of race. President Johnson, the 17th president of the United States and Democrat, vetoed the bill. He said the bill would lead “towards centralization” of the national government. He also insisted that making African Americans full citizens would “operate against the white race.” Congress wanted to overrule this veto, but regardless, the bill became a law. The law also declared people of color the right to make and enforce contracts. Citizens could now also sue, be parties, and give evidence in court. The right to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property was also given. This was one of the first steps in the reconstruction of the United States, but all things wouldn’t be as good as they sound. Public areas were segregated by race, and people of color could not vote or hold public office. The law is still very influential, and change was called for.
Creating America. A History of the United States, 535
https://ballotpedia.org/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1866#:~:text=The%20Civil%20Rights%20Act%20of,United%20States%20Congress%20and%20the

Added to timeline:

Date: