Women's Equality Day

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DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Editor's note: The following is a proclamation from Congress recognizing Aug. 26 as Women's Equality Day.

This day was established on August 26, 1971 to recognize the passing of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which gave women the right to vote. The amendment was first introduced in 1878 but was not passed until August 26, 1920.

The following resolution is to show the declaration of the Equality of Women in the United States from 1971 onward:

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex; and

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and

WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26th of each year is designated as Women's Equality Day, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women's rights took place.