To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Economic Opportunity Act, the federal legislation launching Community Action, the National Community Action Partnership, and CAPLAW, in partnership with the LBJ Presidential Library, hosted a special program featuring remarks from library representatives and historical objects from its extensive collection.
Sixty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) of 1964, which formed the cornerstone of the War on Poverty. The EOA came not even two months after the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The year launched an unprecedented period of executive and legislative action designed to achieve President Johnson’s vision to “elevate our national life and advance the quality of our American civilization” by ending poverty and racial injustice.
Watch to expand your understanding of the launch of Community Action.