The key legislative act passed in 1964 that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin was the Civil Rights Act. This landmark legislation represented a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement, addressing systemic inequality in various sectors, including employment, education, and public accommodations. The act aimed to dismantle institutionalized discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all Americans. Its enforcement mechanisms, which included the creation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, played a crucial role in advancing civil rights and fostering societal change, laying the groundwork for further legislative progress.