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100 years ago: Women gain the right to vote in the U.S.

19th Amendment Tennessee Role
Posted at 6:08 AM, Aug 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-18 06:08:45-04

(WXYZ) — Women didn't gain the right to vote in the United States until the 19th amendment was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920, 100 years ago Tuesday.

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and Tennessee became 36th state to ratify the amendment on Aug. 18, 1920.

"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. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation," the text of the amendment reads.

The amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1878 after women had worked for decades to get the right to vote.