Civil Rights Act of 1964

On June 10, 1964, marked the 83rd day of filibustering for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Strom Thurmond actually switched sides to become a Republican after all of this happened. For those of you who do not know... Filibustering is when someone in the Senate delays or prevents a vote on legislature. Well, the senate needed two-thirds majority to end the filibuster. Seconds before his name was called Senator Clair Engle was pushed into the chamber in a wheelchair. When the clerk tried to call his name he tried to speak but since he was recuperation from two brain operations he could not. So he raised his left arm, as though he was pointing to his eyes. He nodded his head signaling that he was voting 'aye.' He was wheeled out of the chamber minutes later and taken by ambulance back home. The resolution to end the filibuster passed by one vote. Nine days later on June 19, 1964 the Senate passed the final version of the Civil Rights Act, again with Engle’s vote. A month later, "congressman Fireball" -- as Engle had once been called -- died at age 52.

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