June 4, 1919: The Turning Point for the Nineteenth Amendment
When people think about women winning the right to vote in the United States, they often picture August 1920. That was the summer the Nineteenth Amendment finally became part of the U.S. Constitution. However, an amendment cannot become law overnight. Long before any state could vote to approve it, Congress had to agree on the exact words. That crucial breakthrough occurred on June 4, 1919.
To change the Constitution, the process begins in Congress. First, both the House of Representatives and the Senate must pass a joint resolution by a two-thirds majority. For decades, suffragists—people who fought for voting rights—traveled across the country, marched in parades, and gave speeches to convince lawmakers. The House finally approved the proposed amendment in May 1919. A few weeks later, on June 4, 1919, the Senate voted fifty-six to twenty-five in favor. This meant Congress had officially approved the measure and sent it to the states.
- amendment:
- An official change or addition made to the Constitution.
- resolution:
- A formal proposal or decision voted on by a legislative group.
- suffragists:
- People who actively fought for the legal right to vote.
- ratify:
- To officially approve and make valid a law or agreement.
- legislatures:
- Elected groups of lawmakers responsible for creating and voting on laws.
- intimidation:
- The act of frightening or threatening someone to control their actions.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What important milestone for women's suffrage occurred on June 4, 1919?
- 2Why was congressional approval alone not enough to make the Nineteenth Amendment part of the Constitution?
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About this explanatory article passage for 5th Grade
“June 4, 1919: The Turning Point for the Nineteenth Amendment” is a explanatory article reading passage about Nineteenth Amendment, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (393 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.