Which U.S. President signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965?

• A. President Lyndon B. Johnson
• B. President John F. Kennedy
• C. President Richard Nixon
• D. President Gerald Ford

Answer: (A)

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of federal legislation aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in voting. President Lyndon B. Johnson is credited with signing this Act into law on August 6, 1965.

The context surrounding this legislation is significant; it emerged during the Civil Rights Movement, a time when systemic efforts were in place to suppress the voting rights of African Americans, particularly in Southern states. Johnson's administration took decisive action to address these issues following the Selma to Montgomery marches, which highlighted the need for federal protection of voting rights. The Act prohibited discriminatory practices, such as literacy tests, and authorized federal oversight of voter registration in areas where such discrimination was prevalent.

This legislation transformed the political landscape in the United States by aiming to ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, were able to exercise their right to vote. The historical impact of Johnson's signing of the Voting Rights Act remains profound, significantly increasing voter registration and participation among African Americans and other marginalized groups.