When did women get the right to vote in the US?
American women won the right to vote nationwide when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on August 18, 1920, and certified on August 26, 1920.
The women's suffrage movement began in earnest at the Seneca Falls Convention in New York in 1848, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Leaders like Susan B. Anthony spent decades campaigning, giving speeches and organizing petitions. Anthony was arrested in 1872 for voting illegally.
Some western states and territories gave women the vote earlier, starting with Wyoming Territory in 1869. Activists like Alice Paul organized marches and picketed the White House. Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, providing the final vote needed, after a young legislator changed his vote following a letter from his mother.
Not for everyone
Even after 1920, many Black women, Native American women and others were kept from voting by unfair laws and practices. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped remove many of these barriers. August 26 is celebrated as Women's Equality Day in the US.
Did You Know?
New Zealand was the first self-governing country to give all women the right to vote, in 1893.