Which act makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin?

The correct answer is Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which is a landmark piece of legislation that prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act was a foundational step in the American civil rights movement, aimed at ensuring that individuals could not be treated unfairly or denied opportunities in the workplace based on these characteristics. Title VII also establishes the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to help enforce these new regulations and provide a mechanism for individuals to file complaints regarding discrimination.

In contrast, Title VIII refers to a different aspect of civil rights legislation, focusing on housing and not employment discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Act does amend certain parts of earlier legislation but does not specifically enumerate the characteristics protected in the same way it is articulated in Title VII. The Americans with Disabilities Act addresses discrimination against individuals with disabilities but does not cover the broader categories of race, sex, color, religion, or national origin as specified in Title VII. Each of these options serves distinct purposes within civil rights law, but Title VII remains the most comprehensive regarding employment discrimination based on those specified characteristics.