Illinois Periodicals Online: Everett Dirksen and the 1964 Civil Rights Act

Read about the use of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate as a way to control legislation.In the discussion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the longest filibuster in history was launched as a way to keep the legislation from coming to a vote.Find out how Everett Dirksen, Republican minority leader was able to garner enough votes to end the filibuster and eventually pass the Civil Rights Act.Included is a lesson plan.