The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation in Black history that aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed by the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, following a long and hard-fought struggle by civil rights activists and leaders.

The Voting Rights Act targeted the systematic disenfranchisement of African American voters in the South through tactics such as literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation, and violence. The Act outlawed discriminatory voting practices and authorized federal oversight of elections in jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression.

As a result of the Voting Rights Act, millions of African Americans were able to register and vote for the first time, leading to a significant increase in Black political participation and representation. The Act helped to ensure that African Americans could exercise their right to vote free from discrimination and barriers, making it a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and in shaping the political landscape of the United States.