South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond, prepared with cough drops and malted milk tablets, took the podium at 8:54 p.m. on Aug. 28, 1957, to delay the Senate vote on the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
Thurmond insinuated that the bill, which would ensure that black voters would have ready access to polling booths, was unconstitutional and tantamount to â??cruel and unusual punishment.â? Though fellow Southern Democrats opposed the bill, they had vowed earlier never to filibuster. Undeterred, Thurmond pressed on to obstruct voting on the proposal.
The senator had a steam bath earlier in the evening to rid his body of excess liquids so he would not need to use the restroom during his planned speech. Thurmondâ??s staff was reportedly unaware of his plans to monopolize the Senate floor, although his aide, Harry Dent, â??knew something was up when his boss began collecting reading material to take to the floor,â? reports The Associated Press.
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