March 22 - Today in Legal History

March 22, 1972 - Equal Rights Amendment Passed by U.S. Senate

The Equal Rights Amendment is passed by the U.S. Senate, in a 84-8 vote. Section 1 of the amendment states that "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The amendment is given a seven year time limit for ratification. This deadline will later be extended, but as of the last official tally, 35 states voted to ratify the amendment (three short of the number necessary for ratification).

Related resources:

• Audio: The Women's Equality Amendment: What Does It Mean and Is It Necessary? (Justice Talking)
• The Equal Rights Amendment (National Organization for Women)
• Civil Rights Center (FindLaw)