The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is America’s benchmark civil rights legislation, and it continues to resonate in America today. Called for by President John F. Kennedy in his civil rights speech of June 11, 1963 the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The Civil Rights Act fought tough opposition in the House and a lengthy, heated debate in the Senate before being approved in July 1964. For the signing of the historic legislation, Johnson invited hundreds of guests to a televised ceremony in the White House’s East Room.
Over the last 12 months Faircount has been working with the King Center on the creation of a special commemorative publication to mark the historic occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Entitled ‘Keeping The Dream Alive’ the publication was released in July 2014.
Established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”) has been a global destination, resource center and community institution for over a quarter century. Nearly a million people each year make pilgrimage to the National Historic Site to learn, be inspired and pay their respects to Dr. King’s legacy.