The XIV Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1868 and is a key part of the Reconstruction Amendments. It grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former slaves, and ensures that states cannot deny any person equal protection under the law. Additionally, the XIV Amendment includes clauses that address due process and the privileges or immunities of citizens. This amendment has been crucial in various landmark Supreme Court cases, shaping civil rights and liberties in America by promoting equality and protecting individual rights against state infringement.