Timeline: Key Dates in the Century-Long Struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment
The fight for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) dates back over a century, beginning with suffragist Alice Paul’s proposal shortly after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The ERA aims to explicitly guarantee gender equality in the U.S. Constitution. While President Joe Biden declared on January 17, 2025, that the ERA should be considered a ratified addition to the Constitution, the National Archives has yet to certify it due to unmet deadlines for ratification.
Here are key moments in the ongoing battle for the ERA:
Dec. 10, 1923:
The ERA is introduced in Congress by Sen. Charles Curtis (R-Kansas), based on a draft written by Alice Paul. The original text states: “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
March 22, 1972:
The Senate passes an amended version of the ERA, which includes a seven-year deadline for ratification by the states. The amendment reads: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Hawaii becomes the first state to ratify.
Oct. 6, 1978:
The Senate approves an extension of the deadline for state ratification until June 30, 1982.
June 30, 1982:
The deadline for ratification expires with three states short of the required 38 for the ERA to become law.
Jan. 8, 2020:
The Justice Department rules that additional state ratifications are no longer valid due to the expired deadlines imposed by Congress.
Jan. 27, 2020:
Virginia becomes the 38th state to ratify the ERA, meeting the threshold for constitutional inclusion.
Feb. 10, 2020:
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg suggests that supporters of the ERA should restart the process rather than attempt to revive the 1970s-era effort.
Feb. 13, 2020:
The House of Representatives votes 232-183 to remove the 1982 ratification deadline, attempting to breathe new life into the ERA.
Feb. 28, 2023:
A federal appeals court dismisses a case brought by two Democratic-led states seeking to have the ERA certified by the U.S. archivist and included in the Constitution.
April 27, 2023:
Senate Republicans block a Democratic proposal to remove the 1982 deadline and move forward with the ERA.
Dec. 17, 2024:
The U.S. archivist and deputy archivist issue a rare joint statement, declaring that the ERA cannot be certified without further Congressional or judicial action.
Jan. 17, 2025:
President Biden declares that the ERA should be considered a ratified addition to the Constitution. This symbolic statement does not resolve the ongoing dispute over the amendment’s status.
The ongoing battle for the ERA continues, with legal, political, and procedural hurdles preventing its formal recognition in the Constitution, despite the progress made over the last century.
