What did the civil rights movement of the 1960s accomplish?

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s accomplished several significant changes in the area of racial equality in the United States. Here are the key achievements:

1. Civil Rights Act of 1964 : This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, 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 ("public accommodations").

2. Voting Rights Act of 1965 : Another critical piece of legislation, the Voting Rights Act, 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.

3. Fair Housing Act of 1968 : The movement led to the passage of this Act, which was meant to protect buyers or renters from discrimination in housing. It prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, or sex.

4. 24th Amendment : Ratified in 1964, this amendment abolished the poll tax, which had been used by some states to prevent African Americans from voting.

5. Creating Awareness and Shift in Public Opinion : Beyond legislation, the movement fostered a national conversation about racial discrimination and inequality. It educated the American public about the struggles of African Americans and increased support for reform.

6. Desegregation : The movement led to the desegregation of public schools, buses, and other public spaces. This was a substantial step towards equality under the law.

7. Civil Rights Organizations : The era reinforced the strength of civil rights organizations, such as the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), and SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), which continue to advocate for minority rights.

8. Emergence of Civil Rights Leaders : It saw the rise of prominent civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and many others who became symbols of the struggle for racial equality and justice.

The movement laid the groundwork for subsequent efforts to combat discrimination and improved the status of African Americans in American society, although challenges remain to this day.