The struggle over the Equal Rights Amendment started more than a century ago it shortly after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The ERA, if formally recognized as the 28th Amendment, would make gender equality explicit under the Constitution.
President Joe Biden on Friday declared that the ERA should be considered a ratified addition to the Constitution. His announcement was symbolic, as the National Archives has declined to certify the amendment, noting it was passed with a ratification deadline that wasn't met.
Here are some key dates in the history of the effort to enact the Equal Rights Amendment:
Dec. 10, 1923
The first draft of the ERA, written by Paul, is introduced in Congress by Sen. Charles Curtis, a Kansas Republican. Paul's original amendment text stated: 鈥淢en 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.鈥�
March 22, 1972
with a seven-year deadline for states to ratify it. It states: 鈥淓quality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." Hawaii quickly becomes the first state to ratify.
Oct. 6, 1978
The Senate joins the House in approving an extension of the deadline for state ratification of the ERA to June 30, 1982.
June 30, 1982
The congressionally imposed deadline for ratification passes with three states short of the 38 needed for the ERA to become the law of the land.
Jan. 8, 2020
The Justice Department finds that it's too late for additional states to ratify the ERA because of the two expired deadlines imposed by Congress.
Jan. 27, 2020
Virginia .
Feb. 10, 2020
says those like her who support the ERA should start over in trying to get it passed rather than trying to revive the failed attempt from the 1970s.
Feb. 13, 2020
In a 232-183 vote, the House approves for state ratification in a bid to revive the Equal Rights Amendment.
Feb. 28, 2023
A federal appeals court in Washington dismisses a case brought by two Democratic-led states seeking to have the U.S. archivist publish and certify the ERA as part of the Constitution.
April 27, 2023
to remove the 1982 deadline for state ratification and move forward with the ERA.
Dec. 17, 2024
The archivist and deputy archivist of the United States without further action by Congress or the courts.
Jan. 17, 2025
. It's a symbolic statement that will not resolve the dispute.
The Associated Press
