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President Johnson's Remarks upon Signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964
President Johnson's speech was delivered just two days before the 188th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. In it the president cited the phrase "all men are created equal" and pointed out that historically many Americans were denied equal treatment. The Civil Rights Act, he said, provides that "those who are equal before God shall now all be equal" in all aspects of American life. A complete understanding of the civil rights movement cannot focus simply on the mid-twentieth century. As President Johnson said, this was a long journey to freedom.
(left to right) Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Senate Minority Leader Everett M. Dirksen, Sen. Hubert Humphrey, AFI/CIO Pres. George Meany, Rev. Martin Luther King and Rep Emanuel Celler listen. |