14th Amendment Ratified, Granting Equal Citizenship

The 14th Amendment was ratified on July 9, 1868, establishing birthright citizenship, equal protection, and due process. The Senate passed it 33–11 in June 1866 with all opposition from Democrats. Southern states were required to ratify it as a condition of readmission. The amendment provided the constitutional basis for Black citizenship and would anchor civil rights law for 150 years.