51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Newsreel reporting on the Civil Rights Act being signed into law, banning discrimination on the basis of race, colour (color), religion, sex or national origin. Wide shot towards the US Capitol along a wide road, possibly Pennsylvania Avenue. Low-angle shot of the dome of the Capitol with American flag in the foreground. Views along the National Mall towards the Washington Monument with visitors gathering around the Lincoln Memorial. A woman and two children look at the statue of Abraham Lincoln. Wide shot of the White House. Tilt down from a chandelier to President Lyndon Johnson sitting down at a desk ready to sign the bill into law as others including Hubert Humphrey applaud. Johnson makes a speech: 'We must not approach the observance and enforcement of this law in a vengeful spirit. Its purpose is not to punish, its purpose is not to divide, but to end divisions - divisions which have lasted all too long. Its purpose is national, not regional. This Civil Rights Act is a challenge to all of us to go to work in our communities and our states, in our homes and in our hearts, to eliminate the last vestiges of injustice in our beloved country. So tonight I urge every public official, every religious leader, every business and professional man, every working man and every housewife - I urge every American to join in this effort to bring justice and hope to all our people and to bring peace to our land.' The President uses many pens to sign the legislation, which he passes out as souvenirs to people including Martin Luther King, Everett Dirkson, J Edgar Hoover and Robert Kennedy. USA; 2nd July 1964. (Universal Newsreel_Episode 1964 – ABMA707K)