<P> The Civil Rights Act of 1866 , 14 Stat. 27 - 30 , enacted April 9 , 1866 , was the first United States federal law to define citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by the law . It was mainly intended to protect the civil rights of persons of African descent born in or brought to the U.S. , in the wake of the American Civil War . This legislation was enacted by Congress in 1865 but vetoed by President Andrew Johnson . In April 1866 Congress again passed the bill to support the Thirteenth Amendment . Although Johnson again vetoed it , a two - thirds majority in each chamber overcame the veto and the bill therefore became law . </P>
<P> The Civil Rights Act of 1866 , 14 Stat. 27 - 30 , enacted April 9 , 1866 , was the first United States federal law to define citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by the law . It was mainly intended to protect the civil rights of persons of African descent born in or brought to the U.S. , in the wake of the American Civil War . This legislation was enacted by Congress in 1865 but vetoed by President Andrew Johnson . In April 1866 Congress again passed the bill to support the Thirteenth Amendment . Although Johnson again vetoed it , a two - thirds majority in each chamber overcame the veto and the bill therefore became law . </P>
which president vetoed the reconstruction acts in the 14th amendment
which president vetoed the reconstruction acts in the 14th amendment
President Andrew Johnson
President Andrew Johnson