The major American legislation enacted to secure civil rights for all citizens in 1964 was the Civil Rights Act. This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It aimed to eliminate segregation in schools, workplaces, and public accommodations, became a cornerstone of the American civil rights movement. The Act significantly advanced social equality and set the groundwork for subsequent legislation to protect the rights of marginalized groups, marking a major step towards achieving civil rights in the United States.