What were the key pieces of civil rights legislation passed?

The key pieces of civil rights legislation passed include the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public. This act was proposed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, but was signed into law by his successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, following Kennedy's assassination. The act was a major victory for the civil rights movement and set the stage for further legislation to protect the rights of minority groups in the US.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Act significantly widened the franchise and is considered among the most far-reaching pieces of civil rights legislation in U.S. history. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the height of the civil rights movement, and it prohibited racial discrimination in voting, thus enabling millions of African-Americans to vote for the first time.

The Fair Housing Act of 1968, also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1968, provided for equal housing opportunities regardless of race, religion, or national origin. Later amendments also included gender, disability, and family status. This act was passed in the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and was seen as a tribute to the civil rights leader. It prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, (and as amended) handicap and family status.

These three pieces of legislation were crucial in the fight for civil rights in the United States, and their impact continues to be felt today. They represent significant steps towards equality and justice, and their passage marked a turning point in American history.