The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was a piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress on March 1, 1875. It aimed to protect the civil rights of all citizens, regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The Act guaranteed equal treatment in public accommodations like schools, transportation, and theaters.

The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was a significant achievement for African Americans during the Reconstruction Era, following the abolition of slavery. However, the Act faced significant opposition and was ultimately ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1883. This decision, in the case of Civil Rights Cases (1883), effectively invalidated the Act and hindered progress towards racial equality for several decades.

Despite its eventual demise, the Civil Rights Act of 1875 marked an important milestone in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and paved the way for later legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which provided greater protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.