The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to address and dismantle racial discrimination in voting practices that disenfranchised Black Americans. This act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, following the widespread activism and protests of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Voting Rights Act prohibited the use of literacy tests, devised to prevent Black individuals from registering to vote, and provided federal oversight of election practices in states with a history of voter suppression. It also empowered the federal government to register voters and enforce the voting rights of marginalized communities.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a significant victory in the fight for civil rights and played a pivotal role in increasing Black voter registration and political participation. It helped to pave the way for greater representation of Black Americans in government and continued to be a crucial tool in protecting voting rights for decades to come.