In what year was the Civil Rights Act passed?

• A. 1959
• B. 1964
• C. 1965
• D. 1969

Answer: (B)

The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, marking a pivotal moment in American history. This landmark legislation aimed to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, addressing deeply entrenched inequalities, particularly in the Southern states. The act was a significant achievement of the Civil Rights Movement and was instrumental in ending legal segregation in public places and banning employment discrimination.

The passage of the Civil Rights Act was a response to a growing demand for social justice and equal rights, spurred by widespread protests and activism during the early 1960s. Figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., activists, and organizations like the NAACP played critical roles in mobilizing public support for the legislation, leading to its eventual approval by Congress and signing into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Other years provided in the options do not correspond to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act; 1959 is prior to its passage, and 1965 and 1969 are years associated with further civil rights advancements, like the Voting Rights Act or other legislative actions, but not the initial Civil Rights Act itself.