August 16, 1920 is an important date in American history. After years of struggle, voting became a reality for women with the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Prior to the Declaration of Independence, the states of New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New Jersey allowed women to vote in minor elections. When the Constitution was finally adopted in 1788, the only voting provision was that white, property-owning men could ...