When did the concept of hate crime emerge in the United States?

The concept of hate crime emerged in the United States in the late 1970s. By the end of the 20th century, most U.S. states and the federal government had enacted laws that mandated additional penalties for bias-motivated crimes.1

Hate crimes are defined as harassment, intimidation, or physical violence motivated by a bias against a victim's characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. While some argue that hate crime laws are redundant, proponents contend that these crimes threaten the safety of entire groups and are fundamentally different from other violent offenses.1

In 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act expanded federal law to include violent crimes motivated by disability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.1