Women’s Equality Day, August 26, marks the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment.

The passage of the 19th Amendment was the culmination of the first Women's Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. Attendees drafted a Declaration of Sentiments, which addressed the social, civil and religious rights of women including the right of franchise. It detailed injustices to women in areas as diverse as education, occupation, participation in the church, and property rights.

In 1878, the Susan B. Anthony amendment, which would grant U.S. women the right to vote, was first introduced in Congress. In 1919, the House and the Senate passed the suffrage amendment, by votes of 304 to 89 and 56 to 25 respectively.

Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the amendment on June 10, 1919. Tennessee provided the last vote necessary on August 26, 1920.

The 19th amendment simply states that "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

Joint Resolution of Congress, 1971
Designating August 26th of each year as
Women's Equality Day

National Women's History Project
Women's Equality Day Quiz
The Women's Rights Movement 1848 - 1998

Susan B. Anthony Center for Women's Leadership
US Suffrage Movement Timeline: 1792 - 1920
Suffrage Timeline: 1920 - Present

How Did Suffragists Lobby to Obtain Congressional Approval of a Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, 1917-1920?

The Trial of Susan B. Anthony 1873

Inter-Parliamentary Union
Women in National Parliaments

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