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It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964, following intense public pressure and the efforts of civil rights leaders. The act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in various aspects of public life, including employment, education, and public accommodations. The act was a response to continued racial inequality and discrimination African Americans faced in the United States, particularly in the southern states. It aimed to dismantle the Jim Crow laws and policies that enforced racial segregation and denied African Americans equal rights and opportunities. The act also sought to address discrimination faced by other marginalized groups, including women, by making it illegal to discriminate based on sex or religion. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had significant implications for various aspects of American society. In employment, it established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate and address claims of discrimination. It also prohibited discrimination in publicly funded programs, leading to greater racial and gender diversity in schools and colleges. The act's impact on public accommodations was notable, as it prohibited racial segregation in restaurants, hotels, and other places accessible to the public. It tested the implementation of these provisions and the willingness of individuals to respect them during the civil rights movement, as African Americans faced resistance to desegregation and, in some cases, violence. While it was a major step towards equality, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 did not entirely eliminate discrimination in the United States. It marked the beginning of a larger struggle for equal rights, that would continue in subsequent years. Nevertheless, the act remains an essential part of American civil rights history and a crucial milestone in the ongoing fight for equality and justice for all.