The Civil Rights Acts of 1866, 1870, 1871, and 1875 assured African Americans an equal political and legal status.  The legislations granted African Americans such freedoms as the right to sue and be sued, to give evidence, and to hold real and personal property.  The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination for reason of color, race, religion, sex or national origin in places of public accommodation covered by interstate commerce, i.e., restaurants, hotels, motels, and theaters.  In 1965 the Voting Rights Act was passed, which placed federal observers at polls to ensure equal voting rights.  The Civil Rights Act of 1968 dealt with housing and real estate discrimination.  The federal Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, and by the early 1970s over 40 states had passed equal pay laws.  In a further extension of civil-rights protection, the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) barred discrimination against disabled persons in employment and provided for improved access to public facilities.