On June 29, 1964, a landmark moment unfolded as the Senate gave its approval to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To this day, the lengthy debate surrounding this groundbreaking piece of legislation stands as one of the most notable episodes in the entire history of the US Senate.
What did this sweeping law actually do? It wiped out discrimination across a range of public spaces — from theaters and hotels to restaurants, schools, and places of worship. Beyond that, it guaranteed that every American would have access to equal employment opportunities, no matter their race, ethnicity, or color.
It was the late President John F. Kennedy who first put forward the legislation back in 1963, and it remains widely regarded as one of his most significant achievements. Tragically, Kennedy never lived to see the bill signed into law — his assassination came before that could happen. Following Kennedy's death, President Lyndon B. Johnson stepped into office and shepherded the bill to its eventual passage. President Lyndon B. Johnson held deep conviction in the bill's provisions and felt strongly that enacting it would bring the American nation together, fundamentally reshaping the country by uniting its people.
The threshold for turning a bill into law required support from more than half of the Senate. During the proceedings in question, 150 members were present for the debate.
One particularly moving moment came when the clerk began calling the roll. Senator Clair Engle, ravaged by a brain tumor that had left him unable to speak, could not answer verbally when his name was called. Instead, he raised his hand and pointed to his eye — a powerful gesture that served to confirm both his presence in the house and his active participation in the vote.
With the roll call complete, Senate whips Hubert Humphrey and Thomas Kuchel tallied the results and confirmed that the crucial 67 votes needed to pass the bill had been secured, finally bringing the prolonged delay to a close.