The Voting Rights Act of 1965 granted U.S. citizens, particularly African Americans, more explicit rights to vote, addressing the systemic discrimination prevalent in many states, particularly in the South. The Act aimed to eliminate barriers such as literacy tests and poll taxes that had been instituted to disenfranchise voters. It is significant for its role in enforcing the 15th Amendment, which states that voting rights cannot be denied based on race or color. The Act led to an increase in voter registration and participation among African Americans and is celebrated as a crucial step in the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the U.S.