Democratic Achievements for Minorities: 1948–2025

Democrats have played a key role in advancing civil rights, social justice, and economic opportunity for minorities over the past century. Here are some highlights:

• 1948: President Harry Truman desegregates the military (Executive Order 9981).
• 1964: Civil Rights Act passed, ending legal segregation and discrimination.
• 1965: Voting Rights Act passed, protecting minority voting rights.
• 1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson launches the Great Society, expanding education, healthcare, and anti-poverty programs.
• 1972: Shirley Chisholm becomes the first Black woman to run for President.
• 1980s–1990s: Democrats support affirmative action in education and employment.
• 2009: Barack Obama becomes the first Black President.
• 2010: Affordable Care Act signed, reducing uninsured rates for minorities.
• 2021: American Rescue Plan targets COVID-19 relief for hardest-hit communities.
• 2021–2025: Increased funding for HBCUs, criminal justice reform, and expanded voting rights protections.