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The Seneca Falls convention took place in 1848. Seventy-two years later, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.
Here are some of the highlights of the women’s suffrage movement.
1790
New Jersey gives “all free inhabitants” the right to vote. ▶
1648
◀ Margaret Brent, who is rich and owns property, asks for the right to vote in Maryland. She is denied.
1807
New Jersey women lose the vote. How did that happen? A politician nearly lost an election because a group of women all voted against him. So he fought to take away their vote.
1839
Mississippi passes the Married Women’s Property Act. It is the first state that gives married women the right to own property. ▶
1848
◀ A women’s rights convention is held in Seneca Falls, New York. It draws more than 300 men and women. The Declaration of Sentiments is read and gets approved.
1850
The first National Woman’s Rights Convention is held in Worcester, Massachusetts. More than 1,000 people show up. Some come from as far away as California. ▶
1869
The National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association are formed.
1871
Victoria Woodhull becomes the first woman to speak before a committee of Congress. She argues that women already have the right to vote. She claims the 14th and 15th Amendments gave that right to all citizens. She says Congress just has to pass an act to make it law. Congress says no. ▶
1869
◀ The territory of Wyoming gives women the right to vote.
1872
About 150 women try to vote in the presidential election. Susan B. Anthony is arrested for voting. ▶
1872
◀ Victoria Woodhull becomes the first woman to run for president of the U.S.
1878
◀ An amendment to give women the vote goes before Congress. It fails to pass. Supporters swear they’ll introduce it every year until it passes. It becomes known as the Anthony Amendment.
1882
The Massachusetts Association Opposed to Further Extension of Suffrage to Women is formed. It is the first antisuffrage organization. It is run by seven women. ▶
1890
◀ The National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association team up. They create a new organization. It is called the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).
1890
The territory of Wyoming becomes a state. That makes it the first state where women are allowed to vote.
1918
The Anthony Amendment passes in the House of Representatives. But it doesn’t get enough votes to pass in the Senate. ▶
1916
◀ Jeannette Rankin of Montana is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and becomes the first female member of Congress.
1920
On June 4, the Anthony Amendment, now called the 19th Amendment, passes the Senate. On August 18, Tennessee becomes the 36th state to ratify the amendment. That makes it a U.S. law.
