 Sixty years ago this year, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law. Observing the watershed moment at the Justice Department, Attorney General Merrick Garland. The 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 presents an important moment to reflect on why we needed this law in 1964 and why we still need it today. Garland said the nation has witnessed the courageous struggle of Americans moving the country forward and the backlash against it.