The significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in U.S. history lies in its aim to eliminate discrimination in voting. Enacted to protect African American voters in the South, it outlawed practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes that disenfranchised marginalized communities. The Act established federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination and reinforced the fundamental right to vote. Its passage marked a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement and served as a critical step toward achieving greater equality in American democracy.