A look back at local, national and world events through the Deseret News archives.

On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, guaranteeing American women the right to vote. Tennessee was the 36th state to approve it.

Eight days later, on August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was officially added to the U.S. Constitution.

The 39-word amendment reads:

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. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by laws.

Women in Utah and the West had already gained this right. Women in Utah were voting as early as 1870, before Utah was even recognized as a state. In fact, Utah and Wyoming were the first states to officially recognize this right by law.

It took many more years for enough states to ratify the bill; Tennessee was the required 36th state.

Some influential women who fought tirelessly for this right – Seraph Young, Emily Richards, Emmeline B. Wells, Martha Hughes Cannon, and Louisa Swain of Wyoming – joined national leaders such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton in the fight for equal rights.

Here is a collection of articles – many in the form of essays and editorials – from the Deseret News archives about the history of women’s suffrage in the United States and the precious right we all have to vote:

“Our opinion is that you should value the choice. That is what Utah’s pioneering women expect of you.”

“A century later, the influence of the 19th Amendment still influences ‘firsts'”

“In our opinion, it is good to celebrate Western efforts to achieve women’s suffrage, but it is not enough”

“Women’s History Month: Women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pioneered the fight for the right to vote”

“Guest Opinion: Give the 19th century Western women’s suffrage movement the recognition it deserves”

“A look back at the victory of women in suffrage in Utah and across the country”

“In our opinion: A mother, her son and the monumental achievement of women’s suffrage”

“Martha is going to Washington!”

“The diaries of Emmeline B. Wells open a window into the life of a leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a women’s rights activist”