Civil Rights Act of 1964 is adopted in Washington, D.C.

Passed by Congress after the longest filibuster in Senate history (54 days), the sweeping legislation is signed by President Lyndon Johnson. It bans discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in voting, housing, and public accommodations. It gives the U.S. attorney general the authority to enforce desegregation orders, allows federal courts to assume civil rights cases from state courts, and establishes an Equal Opportunity Commission to enforce fair employment practices.