Laws

• Codification of the Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and amended)
  Prohibited discrimination of race, color, religion, or national origin in the sale or rental of housing and other real estate related transactions.
• Codification of the Voting Rights Act of 1965  (subchapters I-A, I-B, I-C)
  Abolished discrimination against voters.
  See also, text of President Lyndon B. Johnson's Special Message to Congress: "The American Promise", 15 March 1965; audio, and President Johnson's remarks at the signing of the Voting Rights Act, 6 August 1965
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended) is codified in Title 42, Chapter 21 of the United States Code. Often cited as the most important civil rights legislation in the U.S., it prohibits discriminatory acts in public education, (sec 2000c et seq.) federally-funded programs, (sec 2000d et seq.) accomodations, (sec 2000a) and employment, (sec 2000e et seq.)
  For historical purposes, see the original text of the law as passed in 1964. Also useful is a comprehensive case history of the law and a chronology. Includes a glossary and links to primary reference sources.
• Codification of the 1866 and 1871 Civil Rights Acts (42 U.S.C sec 1981-85).
  Post-Civil War, Reconstruction Era statutes prohibiting racial discrimination in both civil and criminal venues. Criminal context is found in 18 U.S.C. sec 241 and 242
• Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
  Legislated the return of runaway slaves to their owners, regardless of where they were found.