The 1960s are sometimes described as turbulent because there were so many social and political changes. Click on each image below.

After taking office in 1963, Lyndon Baines Johnson implemented even more social and political changes through his series of  reform programs, called The Great Society, which focused on eliminating poverty for all Americans.

On July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, one of the most important civil rights acts ever written into law, was signed.

Watch this video clip of President Johnson signing the act into law.

Click on the document below to learn more about the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Click on the image below.

Read the excerpt below. Think about which segment of the population would be affected by this new civil rights act.

Section 703 (a) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it unlawful for an employer to "fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin."

Activity:
In your notes, explain how this act would change employment practices. Do you believe that this act is effective? Do you believe it promotes equality in the workplace? Is this act still effective?

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The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the most important laws ever written. The law was effective in eliminating discrimination in various aspects of American society. The act promoted equality in the workplace. The act is still effective today.