Happy Birthday, 19th Amendment (And thanks to Harry T. Burn's mom)

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.

Today is the 90th anniversary the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, the one that gave women the right to vote after a full century of organization, agitation and marching.

On this date in 1920 the Tennessee General Assembly became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, thus making it official.

Few folks remember, however, that the historic ratification occurred by just one single vote, a man, of course, in those days.

It was Harry T. Burn, a lawyer and later a banker. He had settled on his opposition to this suffrage nonsense.

The General Assembly suffrage amendment vote came up a 48-48 tie. Burn's vote would defeat it and postpone national ratification at least another month until the Connecticut Legislature vote.

But shortly before the historic legislative tally, Harry T. Burn received a long letter from his mother back home in Niota.

She said, in part:

I have been watching to see how you stood, but have not noticed anything yet. Don't forget to be a good boy.

Harry T. Burn behaved himself. He changed his "nay" vote to "yea."

The rest has become history.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: University of Louisville

Comments

[A B Russell]

Doesn't anyone understand/appreciate that this happened? We take so much for granted.

[Jackle]

Who cares?

[Minnie]

What a wonderful article.

[Gee]

No, today is not the anniversary of the 19th Amendment. It is the anniversary of the last requisite ratification, but that does not make an amendment law. The U.S. Secretary of State's office must receive and approve ratifications. It did so with Tennessee's ratification on August 26, 1920, declaring it law only then.

And that is why an even higher authority, the President of the United States, annually decrees August 26 as Women's Equality Day to mark the anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

And this story is why reliance on Wikipedia, apparently the source for the Google home page's error today, is not allowed on reputable campuses. It really, really is better to, y'know, read books. And there are many good ones on the suffrage campaign -- and the story of its official end on August 26.

[Hannah]

Regardless of the source, it is fact that on this date in 1920, the Tennessee General Assembly was the 36th state to ratify the amendment making it 2/3 which made is official. Just because the president didn't sign it into law on that day, doesn't, by definition, mean that it is inaccurate to say that today is the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Arguing over these kinds of details only takes away from the celebration of women's right to vote.

[Mike Fish]

Let's see, the right for each & every citizen to vote?!?!
Isn't that what got us in this situation of having a black guy as president?

No seriously, it's a great freedom. In fact, it's even better when it is excersized by semi-competant individuals who don't vote based on the candidate being a 'brotha from anotha motha'.

[jenny]

this is awesome. women are equal to and even better than men in some cases.we should have equal rights and an equal place in this world. girl power!!!

no more women suffrage. as a young woman whos voted in the 2 elections i've been able to since i turned 18 im thankful for what women did to create an equal future for me.

[-]

Ann coulter will be wearing black all day

[victoria blessing]

Celebrate!!!

[Loel Lund]

What a shame that it took so long to include women--what a loss of talent.

[Theodore (Ted) Sumrall]

It is interesting that the state which had the worst reputation for abusing women (Utah – via polygamy) was the first state to approve the 19th Amendment. Theodore (Ted) Sumrall

[michael H]

lol, america had to change their friggin constitution just so women can vote instead of just letting them vote voluntarily because it was the right thing to do

[Biff Blevensen]

The 19th Amendment is the biggest mistake this country ever made. Our unsustainable social programs can be traced directly to the influence of irrational, security-obsessed female voters.

[Steve Wershing]

We owe a debt to all the suffragists, including Harry's mom! And our work isn't over. Help keep Susan B. Anthony's legacy alive. www.sendsusanhome.org

[Park]

oh is it really what happened?
i believe 'harry t. burn behaved himself' wasnt the best way to explain it...
but i luv it that women now have rights to vote!