The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was a significant piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress during the Reconstruction era, which aimed to guarantee equal access to public accommodations and protect the civil rights of African Americans. The act prohibited discrimination in public places such as hotels, theaters, and restaurants, as well as on public transportation.

Despite its noble intentions, the Civil Rights Act of 1875 faced numerous legal challenges and was largely ineffective in practice. In 1883, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Civil Rights Cases that the act was unconstitutional, arguing that the 14th Amendment only applied to state action and not to private discrimination.

The failure of the Civil Rights Act of 1875 highlighted the limitations of federal legislation in combating systemic racism and discrimination, paving the way for future civil rights struggles and the eventual passage of more robust civil rights laws in the 20th century.