The Civil Rights Act, the landmark legislation that was viewed as the culmination of the work of the civil rights movement, was passed by the United States Senate on June 19, 1964, by vote of 73 to 27. The legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin. 

The legislation, which would be known as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, also ended discriminatory application of voter registration requirements as well as racial segregation in schools as well as in the workplace. 

It was eventually enacted into law on July 2, 1964, and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House. The power to enforce the law was generally considered weak initially, but aspects of the legislation were ultimately strengthened.

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 (Photo: Cecil Stoughton/ White House Press Office)