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What is the history of the civil rights movement in the United States?
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The Civil Rights Movement in the United States began with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This act was followed by other pieces of legislation that further strengthened and expanded the rights of African Americans. In 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed literacy tests, poll taxes, and other devices used to deny voting rights to blacks. In 1968, Congress passed the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing sales and rentals based on race, color, religion, gender, familial status, or national origin. These laws were a major step forward for African Americans, who had been systematically denied their basic human rights since the end of slavery. However, much work remains to be done, as many forms of discrimination still exist today.