"The basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law."
— American Heritage Dictionary, 4th Edition

A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE USA

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (July 4, 1776)
It was the violation of the most basic of human rights that led to the American Revolution and ultimate birth of a nation. At the heart of it all was one of the most beautifully worded statements of freedom and democracy ever created: the Declaration of Independence.

But regardless of these ideals, not all were "equal" in this new country, most notably women, blacks and the poor.

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS (1789)
Approved by the First Congress in 1789 and ratified by the States in 1791, the first ten amendments to the Constitution – the Bill of Rights – assure basic individual liberties essential to a free and democratic society.

But in spite of these supposed legally bound freedoms, slavery still flourished in the American South.

THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION (1863)
This was a declaration by then-President Abraham Lincoln granting freedom to slaves in confederate territory. In 1865 it evolved into the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, declaring all slavery in the US illegal. And thus the US Civil War began.
And yet, over 100 years after the birth of this nation that guaranteed equality to all, women still did not have the right to vote in all states.

WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE – THE 19TH AMENDMENT (1920)
After several unsuccessful attempts by a very organized campaign headed by suffragettes, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed by both the Congress and House of Representatives.

But human rights is also an international issue – and nations can, and often do, infringe upon the rights of another nation. And wars are waged, among the most horrific were World War I (1914-1917) and the "War to End All Wars" World War II (1939-1945).

THE UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was created after World War II in 1948 so everyone would know what their basic rights were, and to prevent another global conflict.

Black servicemen returned from the war, proud of defending their country, but were quickly reminded that inequality still existed.

CIVIL RIGHTS ACT (1964)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s involvement with the civil rights movement began with the arrest of Mrs. Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955. He then organized peaceful protests and marches, fighting for years for racial equality until the Civil Rights Act was signed into law in 1964.

But violations were not just limited to color – they were carried out on victims solely because they were "different" in some way or another.

FEDERAL HATE CRIME LAW (1969)
Originally passed in 1969, it protects people from crimes perpetrated on them because of their religion, race and/or national origin. The US Congress defined in 1992 a hate crime as a crime in which "the defendant’s conduct was motivated by hatred, bias, or prejudice, based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity of another individual or group of individuals." In 1994, "disabilities" was added to this list.

But the world was being awakened to the fact that in this supposedly modern day and age, modern slavery was happening right under their noses, affecting mostly women and the most defenseless of all: children. Human trafficking.

TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT (2000)
A law passed by the US Government to combat trafficking in persons, especially into the sex trade, slavery, and involuntary servitude.

What will the future bring? YOU decide…