The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was originally drafter by President John F. Kennedy but was passed by President Johnson after Kennedy was assassinated. Johnson had to use all his powers of persuasion to get leaders in the House and Senate to pass the bill to be signed. It passed by a very narrow margin but eventually was signed into law.

The Civil Rights Act ended discrimination/segregation in employment, promotions, firing, voter registration, usage of federal funds, and public places based on race or sex. This was a momentous occasion for leaders to unite the nation through legal means instead of the division which it had been riddled with for more than 100 years.