The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on July 9, 1868, granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves newly freed after the Civil War. This amendment was a crucial step towards ensuring equality and civil rights for African Americans in the post-Civil War era.

The 14th Amendment also included the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause, which have been instrumental in various civil rights cases throughout history. These clauses have been used to challenge segregation, discrimination, and other forms of inequality.

Overall, the 14th Amendment played a significant role in shaping the legal landscape for African Americans and other marginalized groups in the United States, solidifying their rights as equal citizens under the law.