Which legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin?

The correct answer is the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which was a monumental piece of legislation that addressed a wide range of discrimination issues in various facets of public life, including employment, education, and public accommodations. This act explicitly outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

While the 1968 Fair Housing Act also plays a critical role in combating discrimination, it specifically targets housing discrimination and does not encompass the broader spectrum addressed by the Civil Rights Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability, thereby building upon the foundation established by the Civil Rights Act but focusing solely on the housing sector.

The 1974 Equal Opportunity Housing Act and the 1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act further expand the protections originally outlined in the Fair Housing Act, particularly concerning familial status and disability rights, but they do not specifically address discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin in the same comprehensive manner as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Understanding this context clarifies the significance of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as foundational legislation that set the stage for subsequent laws addressing discrimination in specific areas, including housing.