1938 August 10

Anti-Discrimination Clause Added to New York Constitution

 

In a very early civil rights step, compared with other states, New York added a “No Discrimination” clause to its new state constitution on this day.

The vote of the Constitutional Convention was unanimous. The clause banned discrimination based on race, color, creed or religion.

And on May 7, 1942, New York State again took the lead among states by adopting two anti-discrimination laws. New York City on December 5 1957 was the first city in the nation to enact a fair housing law barring discrimination in the sale and rental of housing.

Learn about the state origins of the U.S. Bill of Rights here.

Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture here

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