LibraryOfCongress

The opening ceremony of the Library exhibition, "The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom." This exhibition, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, explores the events that shaped the civil rights movement, as well as the far-reaching impact the act had on a changing society. The act is considered the most significant piece of civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in voting, public accommodations, public facilities, public education, federally funded programs, and employment. Audiovisual stations throughout the exhibition present archival footage of the era, as well as contemporary interviews with civil rights leaders and activists reflecting on the civil rights era. Speakers included Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, Rep. Marcia Fudge, Rep. John Larson, Robert Forrester, Libby O'Connell, Rep. Gregg Harper and Rep. John Lewis.

For transcript, captions, and more information, visit http://www.loc.gov/today/cy... Show less