50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 -July 02,1964 - July 02,2014

On July 2, 1964,the Civil Rights Act was signed into law, officially banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It also ended racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and in general public facilities.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is considered one of the most celebrated legislative achievements in U.S. history.

US President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2, 1964

The legislation abolished segregation in businesses such as theaters, restaurants and hotels

"We believe that all men are created equal," said Johnson upon signing the act into law. "Yet many are denied equal treatment."

This photo shows pages of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are shown in the basement of the National Archives in Washington. They will be going on display at the National Archives to honor the 50th anniversary of their signing in 1964

Because of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, two civil rights activists with very different approaches, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, had their first and only face-to-face encounter. On March 26, 1964, King and Malcolm X were both in Washington for the Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act. According to Peter Louis Goldman, author of a book about Malcolm X, said the Muslim activist slipped into the back row of one of King's news conferences. When King left by one door, Malcolm X left by another and intercepted him.

  "Well, Malcolm, good to see you," King said.
"Good to see you," Malcolm X replied.
They were photographed smiling warmly and shaking hands as they parted