1961
The Twenty-fifth Amendment. Presidential disability and succession
Sets out how the Vice President becomes President or Acting President, how a vacancy in the vice presidency is filled, and how a President’s inability to serve is declared.
Structure of governmentProposed 1965Ratified February 10, 1967
- What it does
- Sets out how the Vice President becomes President or Acting President, how a vacancy in the vice presidency is filled, and how a President’s inability to serve is declared.
- Time to ratify
- 2 years from proposal to ratification.
- Era
- Civil rights and Vietnam (1960–1974)
Around 1967. What else was in the record.
Decisions and events within six years of ratification.
1962
Baker v. Carr
Yes. Apportionment claims under the Equal Protection Clause can be decided by the courts.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1962
Engel v. Vitale
No. A state-composed school prayer violates the Establishment Clause, even if participation is voluntary.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1963
Gideon v. Wainwright
Yes. The right to counsel is fundamental and applies to the states.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1964
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
No. A public official must prove “actual malice”: knowledge that the statement was false, or reckless disregard for whether it was.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1964
Reynolds v. Sims
Yes. Equal protection requires districts of substantially equal population: one person, one vote.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1964
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States
Yes. The public accommodations title of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a valid exercise of the commerce power.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1964
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin in public accommodations, employment and federally funded programs.
Source: National Archives