Final answer:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 barred discrimination in public places and employment, playing a key role in ending racial segregation and voter registration discrimination. It worked alongside other laws such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to protect various groups from discrimination in the job market and in housing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act that barred discrimination in public places and employment is known as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This landmark legislation prohibited discrimination based on "race, color, religion, or national origin" in employment practices and public accommodations. It was instrumental in ending unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation, including in schools and other facilities that served the general public, which were often referred to as public accommodations. Moreover, the Act played a critical role in transitioning from de-facto segregation to a more integrated society, challenging the Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in the southern United States.
In addition to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, there were other significant pieces of legislation aimed at reducing discrimination. These include the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which mandated equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, which protected individuals 40 years of age or older from discrimination based on age. The comprehensive approach to reducing discrimination in job markets and housing also encompassed policies to protect against discrimination based on gender, age, and disability.