19th Amendment
Discover the story behind women's right to vote and the courageous suffragists who made it happen.
What is the 19th Amendment?
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a very important law. It says that the right of citizens to vote cannot be denied or limited by the United States or by any state because of a person's sex. In simple terms, this amendment gave women the right to vote! Before this, women in most states were not allowed to participate in elections. This was a huge step toward equal rights for everyone.
Key Concept
The 19th Amendment is a law that made it illegal to stop people from voting just because they are a woman. It was a major victory for women's suffrage.
The Women's Suffrage Movement
Gaining the right to vote didn't happen overnight. It was the result of a long, difficult, and brave fight known as the women's suffrage movement. A "suffragist" was a person who worked for the right of women to vote. Women and men from all walks of life protested, marched, and worked tirelessly for decades to change the laws.
Two of the most famous leaders of this movement were Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. They spent their lives speaking and organizing to convince people that women deserved the right to vote. Their hard work laid the groundwork for the eventual passing of the amendment.
The 19th Amendment Ratified
After a long fight, the 19th Amendment was finally approved by Congress in 1919. But that wasn't the end of the story! For an amendment to become part of the Constitution, it has to be "ratified," which means it must be approved by three-fourths of the states.
On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to approve the amendment, and it officially became a part of the U.S. Constitution. It was a day of great celebration for all the suffragists and their supporters. While this was a huge step forward, it's important to know that many African American women and women of color were still prevented from voting for many more years due to other laws and practices. The fight for true equal rights continued and still continues today.
The 19th Amendment Quiz
Test your knowledge about the 19th Amendment with this short quiz. Choose the best answer for each question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the 19th Amendment:
History Trivia
Here are some interesting facts about the 19th Amendment and women's history:
A Close Call
The vote in Tennessee to ratify the amendment passed by a single vote. The decisive vote came from a young legislator named Harry Burn, who changed his vote after receiving a letter from his mother urging him to "be a good boy" and vote for suffrage.
The Yellow Rose
Suffragists in favor of the amendment wore yellow roses, while opponents wore red roses. This is why the yellow rose is often seen as a symbol of the suffrage movement.
First to Vote
Wyoming was the very first state to grant women the right to vote in 1869, long before the 19th Amendment was passed!
