Today's the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act.

On July 2, 1964 President Lyndon Baines Johnson inked the oft debated, controversial law in front of luminaries such as activist Martin Luther King Jr. and members of his cabinet. While the law hasn't entirely ended racism, and that very well may never happen unfortunately, it did mark an important step in America's commitment to equal rights. 

LBJ linked the struggle for civil rights with the creation of America. 

"One hundred and eighty-eight years ago this week a small band of valiant men began a long struggle for freedom," he remarked to the nation during the nationally televised event. 

The Civil Rights Act also came an astounding 94 years after Black Americans got the right to vote. That's frustratingly slow progress, but at least it occurred.

Various iterations of the bill (the Senate revised the original House version) were overwhelmingly approved by roughly 70 percent of the Congress. While the bill was directed at improving the lives of African-American citizens, it did much more than that. In fact, the Civil Rights Act banned discrimination based on skin color, national origin, racial makeup, religious affiliation and gender.

If you're a history buff and would be interested in seeing the actual piece of paper the president signed, you can do so by visiting the LBJ Presidential Library located in Austin, Texas. The legislation is the prized artifact in the "Cornerstones of Civil Rights" exhibit. 

But if Austin is a bit too far for you to travel to, just hop on Twitter and visit the LBJ Library's page. All day today they've been tweeting out pictures, links and videos of their displays and memorable Civil Rights moments.

Another great place to visit, on this day in particular, is The International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The building is more than just a museum, though; it's an actual relic harkening back to the days of the Jim Crow south.

The museum complex encompasses part of the old Woolworth's lunch counter that saw numerous sit-in protests. The counter where the protesters valiantly sat while being physically and verbally assaulted is preserved in all of its mid-century glory and includes the original stores.

Watch the Civil Rights Act being signed into law below:

How has the Civil Rights Act of 1964 affected your life and that of your family? Let us know in the comments section below.