The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was the most surprising thing to happen during the Reconstruction Era because it was a landmark legislation that attempted to ensure equal treatment for all citizens, regardless of race, in public accommodations and facilities. This was surprising because it went against the prevailing racial attitudes of the time and sought to challenge the deeply ingrained systems of racial segregation and discrimination. Furthermore, the act was surprising because it marked a departure from previous legislation, as it was one of the first federal attempts to protect the civil rights of African Americans and promote racial equality in the United States.
