On August 26, 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution became law, giving American women the vote.
In 1971, at the urging of Rep. Bella Abzug, Congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day,” and that is how the anniversary is known today.
“Women’s Equality Then and Now,” Britannica Blog
“Aug. 26, 1920: 19th Amendment Takes Effect, Giving Women the Vote,” The Learning Network via the New York Times
“Presidential Proclamation: Women’s Equality Day 2011,” White House press release
Note: In 1972, perhaps at the urging of Florida activist Roxcy Bolton, President Richard Nixon signed an order prclaiming August 26th as “Women’s Rights Day.” Was this a Nixonian attempt to de-emphasive the word “Equality” while the Equal Rights Amendment was in play?
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Image (“Rosie the Blogger, after J. Howard Miller”) by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com
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Tags: 19th Amendment, Constitution, history, holidays, woman suffrage, women, Women's Equality Day, women's rights, Women's suffrage
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