What significant legislation was passed on April 9, 1866?

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was a pivotal piece of legislation that aimed to protect the rights of individuals, particularly newly freed African Americans following the Civil War. This act was significant as it provided federal protections for civil rights, including the right to make contracts, sue in court, and enjoy the full benefits of citizenship. It was one of the early attempts to establish legal equality for all citizens regardless of race, laying important groundwork for future civil rights advancements.

The act specifically declared that all persons born in the United States, excluding Native Americans, were to be considered citizens, thereby invalidating any laws that discriminated on the basis of race. This legislation was key in challenging the various Black Codes that Southern states enacted to maintain white supremacy.

Other options, while important in their contexts, are not relevant to the date or the objectives of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The Civil Rights Act of 1875, for instance, aimed to address discrimination in public accommodations but came nearly a decade later. Similarly, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 focused on broader anti-discrimination measures but was established nearly a century after the 1866 act. The Elderly Americans Protection Act, on the other hand, deals with protections for older adults