, United States (USA) (American Colonies)
1875 - March 1 - Civil Rights Act of 1875

Enacted on March 1, 1875, the Civil Rights Act affirmed the “equality of all men before the law” and prohibited racial discrimination in public places and facilities such as restaurants and public transportation. britannica.com


The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was a significant piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress on March 1, 1875. It was intended to guarantee African Americans equal treatment in public accommodations, public transportation, and to prohibit exclusion from jury service. This act was one of the last major efforts during the Reconstruction era to enforce civil rights and counteract the discriminatory Black Codes and Jim Crow laws in the South. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court declared the act unconstitutional in 1883, stating that Congress did not have the power to regulate the conduct of individuals, only the actions of the states. This decision significantly undermined civil rights protections for African Americans until the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century.

Visit United States (USA) (American Colonies)
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.