The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and sought to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the Fifteenth Amendment. The Act prohibited practices like literacy tests and provided for federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination. The Act was a response to widespread voter suppression, particularly in the Southern states, where African Americans faced significant barriers to voting. It empowered the federal government to monitor elections and ensure that all citizens could exercise their right to vote without intimidation or unfair practices.