The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the country, including former slaves who had been emancipated after the Civil War. It also guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of race or ethnicity. This amendment was crucial in ensuring that the rights and liberties promised in the Constitution applied to all individuals, not just a select few. Additionally, the 14th Amendment laid the groundwork for important civil rights legislation in the future, helping to establish a more inclusive and just society for all Americans.
