Executive Order 11478, signed by U.S. President Richard M. Nixon on August 8, 1969, prohibited discrimination in the competitive service of the federal civilian workforce on certain grounds.
Executive Order 11478 covered the federal civilian workforce, including the United States Postal Service and civilian employees of the United States Armed Forces.
It prohibited discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, and age.
[1] It required all departments and agencies to take affirmative steps to promote employment opportunities for those classes it covered.
[3] On April 23, 1971, Executive Order 11590 amended Executive Order 11478 to apply to the recently reorganized United States Postal Service and to the newly established Postal Rate Commission.