Which landmark federal law prohibited discrimination in public accommodations and helped end segregation?

• A. Civil Rights Act of 1964
• B. Voting Rights Act of 1965
• C. Fair Housing Act
• D. Equal Employment Opportunity Act

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is how federal law addressed segregation by ending discrimination in public places. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the landmark because it prohibits discrimination in public accommodations such as hotels, restaurants, and theaters (Title II). This made segregation in everyday public life illegal and pressured institutions to desegregate, helping to dismantle Jim Crow practices. It also laid the groundwork for broader civil rights protections, including employment rights and desegregation efforts.

The other laws focus on different areas: the Voting Rights Act targets voting access, the Fair Housing Act addresses discrimination in housing, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act deals with employment discrimination. While all are important civil rights milestones, they do not directly ban discrimination in public accommodations in the way the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does.