This Day in Republican History 07/16/05

July 16, 1866 Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Andrew Johnson’s veto of Freedman's Bureau Act, which protected former slaves from “black codes” denying their rights Black Codes were laws passed by southern Democrat governments established during the presidency of Andrew Johnson. These laws imposed severe restrictions on freed slaves such as prohibiting their right to vote, forbidding them to sit on juries, limiting their right to testify against white men, carrying weapons in public places and working in certain occupations. Republicans enacted the Freedman's Bureau Act over stiff opposition from the Democrats. But just as they are now, the Democrats of that era were a determined lot. The black codes were followed by Jim Crow laws that enforced separate facilities for blacks and whites. The Jim Crow laws were struck down by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This made racial discrimination in public places, such as theaters, restaurants and hotels, illegal. It also required employers to provide equal employment opportunities. Projects involving federal funds could now be cut off if there was evidence of discrimination based on color, race or national origin. Again, the act would never have passed without the efforts of Republicans over Democrat resistance.