March 6, 1961
President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order 10925, creating the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity
July 2, 1964
The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
Sept. 24, 1965
Issued by President Johnson, an executive order requires government contractors to "take affirmative action" toward prospective minority employees in all aspects of hiring and employment.
August 12, 1969
†Initiated by President Richard Nixon, the "Philadelphia Order" was the most forceful plan thus far to guarantee fair hiring practices in construction jobs.
June 28, 1978
This Supreme Court case imposed limitations on affirmative action to ensure that providing greater opportunities for minorities did not come at the expense of the rights of the majority-affirmative action was unfair if it led to reverse discrimination.
Jan. 23, 1989
A landmark case involving affirmative action programs at the state and local level-a Richmond program setting aside 30% of city construction funds for black-owned firms was challenged. For the first time, affirmative action was judged as a "highly suspect tool."
July 19, 1995
Addressing Affirmative Action in a White House memorandum, President Clinton calls for the elimination of any program that "(a) creates a quota; (b) creates preferences for unqualified individuals; (c) creates reverse discrimination; or (d) continues even after its equal opportunity purposes have been achieved."
Nov. 3, 1997
A state ban on all forms of affirmative action was passed in California.
Dec. 3 1998
Washington becomes the second state to abolish state affirmative action measures when it passed "I 200," which is similar to California's Proposition 209.
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