<human>:  What is the history of the civil rights movement in the United States?
<bot>: The civil rights movement in the United States is one of the most significant events in American history. It began with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as well as other landmark legislation. These acts were designed to protect African Americans, and many other minorities, from discrimination and injustice. The movement also served to redefine the meaning and scope of civil rights in the United States. It invited people—especially African Americans—to demand their fullest legal rights, to promote their interests, and to ultimately bring about social, economic, and political change. The accomplishments of the civil rights movement have been far-reaching, affecting virtually every field of endeavor and transforming America into a place where all people—regardless of race—have equal rights and opportunities.