26 August

After 72 years of struggle, on this day in 1920 the US 19th Amendment (the Anthony Amendment) was passed granting women the right to vote.

‘Why we don’t want men to vote

Because man’s place is in the army.

Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.

Because if men should adopt peaceable methods women will no longer look up to them.

Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural sphere and interest themselves in other matters than feats of arms, uniforms, and drums.

Because men are too emotional to vote. Their conduct at baseball games and political conventions shows this, while their innate tendency to appeal to force renders them unfit for government.’

Alice Duer Miller 1915