Fall is right around the corner and you know what that means: Constitution Day is here! September 17 is the official date for Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. This year, let’s look at some important dates and information that ties in with the U.S. Constitution and the upcoming general election!
15th Amendment (1870)
This year marks the 150 year anniversary of the 15th amendment that officially stated that the right to vote in this country could not be denied on the basis of race. While this amendment did not fully get recognized for another century or so because of certain states’ work to disenfranchise black Americans, the 15th Amendment marked a step in the right direction towards equality for all.
19th Amendment (1920)
Another anniversary to note is the 100 year anniversary of the 19th amendment that stated that no one could be denied the right to vote based on sex. A great source of information about this amendment and its anniversary celebration can be found on the Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative’s website.
Also to note, the 100 year anniversary of the 19th amendment coincides with the 50 year anniversary of women at Lehigh. You can learn more about the 50 year anniversary on Lehigh University’s website.
Other Notable Election-Related Amendments
24th Amendment (1964)
The 24th amendment outlawed the use of poll taxes as a voting requirement in federal elections. Poll taxes at the time were strategically used by several southern states to disenfranchise black and poor white Americans. While the amendment disallowed poll taxing for federal elections, it took another two years until the Supreme Court ruled that using poll taxes in any level of governmental elections was unconstitutional.
Even after the 24th amendment was ratified - and Congress passed the Civil Rights Acts in 1957, 1960, and 1964 - Federal laws were not strong enough to prevent local voting discrimination until passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed literacy tests and provided for Federal oversight of voting in specific areas of the country.
26th Amendment (1971)
The 26th amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years old. The movement to change the voting age heated up in the 1960s because U.S. citizens between 18 and 21 years old were being conscripted into the army for the Vietnam War while at the same time not having the right to vote. This amendment was probably adopted into the U.S. Constitution in some of your parent’s lifetimes!
More Information About the U.S. Constitution
If you want to learn more about the U.S. Constitution and all of the amendments added to it since September 17th, 1787, go check out the National Constitution Center’s website!