Elizabeth Cady Stanton, left, and Susan B. Anthony were lifelong friends and social reformers who campaigned for women's rights in the United States. The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, organized by Stanton in her hometown of Seneca Falls, New York, was the first American gathering that specifically addressed a woman's right to vote. But it still took more than 70 years until women's suffrage became guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in August 1920.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, left, and Susan B. Anthony were lifelong friends and social reformers who campaigned for women's rights in the United States. The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, organized by Stanton in her hometown of Seneca Falls, New York, was the first American gathering that specifically addressed a woman's right to vote. But it still took more than 70 years until women's suffrage became guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in August 1920.
Library of Congress
Suffragists are escorted out of New York's City Hall by police in 1908. By this time, a few U.S. states were allowing women to vote. Around the world, women had recently won the right to vote in New Zealand, Australia and Finland.
Suffragists are escorted out of New York's City Hall by police in 1908. By this time, a few U.S. states were allowing women to vote. Around the world, women had recently won the right to vote in New Zealand, Australia and Finland.
Library of Congress
In March 1913, the National American Women Suffrage Association organized the Woman Suffrage Procession in Washington. The march took place the day before Woodrow Wilson's inauguration to maximize exposure. Inez Milholland, a labor lawyer, suffragist and World War I correspondent, started off the procession on a white horse.
In March 1913, the National American Women Suffrage Association organized the Woman Suffrage Procession in Washington. The march took place the day before Woodrow Wilson's inauguration to maximize exposure. Inez Milholland, a labor lawyer, suffragist and World War I correspondent, started off the procession on a white horse.
Library of Congress
The procession included nine bands, five mounted brigades, 26 floats and nearly 8,000 marchers.
The procession included nine bands, five mounted brigades, 26 floats and nearly 8,000 marchers.
Library of Congress
As the procession made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue, the marchers were jeered and harassed by the crowds. More than 200 people were injured.
As the procession made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue, the marchers were jeered and harassed by the crowds. More than 200 people were injured.
Library of Congress
Hedwega Reicher, a famous actress, wears a costume in front of the Treasury Building during the march in 1913. After the parade, protesters began being more theatrical to keep the movement in the press and the public debate.
Hedwega Reicher, a famous actress, wears a costume in front of the Treasury Building during the march in 1913. After the parade, protesters began being more theatrical to keep the movement in the press and the public debate.
Library of Congress
After the march, people mill around a pro-suffrage sign in Washington.
After the march, people mill around a pro-suffrage sign in Washington.
Library of Congress
The march was organized by Alice Paul, who later started the National Woman's Party and the Silent Sentinels -- a group of women who would silently protest outside the White House.
The march was organized by Alice Paul, who later started the National Woman's Party and the Silent Sentinels -- a group of women who would silently protest outside the White House.
Library of Congress
As America grew westward, many new states joining the union allowed women to vote. The suffrage movement heavily campaigned out west to apply pressure on Congress and the President to approve a suffrage amendment.
As America grew westward, many new states joining the union allowed women to vote. The suffrage movement heavily campaigned out west to apply pressure on Congress and the President to approve a suffrage amendment.
Library of Congress
One of the tactics that suffragists used was to wear white. It made them move visible to supporters and the press. But it also was meant to symbolize the purity of their cause.
One of the tactics that suffragists used was to wear white. It made them move visible to supporters and the press. But it also was meant to symbolize the purity of their cause.
Library of Congress
The Silent Sentinels protested in front of the White House six days a week, starting on January 10, 1917, until June 4, 1919. They were the first organization to picket at the White House.
The Silent Sentinels protested in front of the White House six days a week, starting on January 10, 1917, until June 4, 1919. They were the first organization to picket at the White House.
Library of Congress
As protests became more frequent and visible, the reaction to them became more harsh. Women were frequently arrested and jailed. These women were arrested for protesting in front of the Senate Office Building in Washington in 1918.
As protests became more frequent and visible, the reaction to them became more harsh. Women were frequently arrested and jailed. These women were arrested for protesting in front of the Senate Office Building in Washington in 1918.
Library of Congress
Women make history by voting in San Francisco, shortly after the 19th Amendment was adopted in 1920. Resistance to women's suffrage -- both in the United States and in other countries -- began to fade after World War I. By 1918, both U.S. political parties were pushing for women's suffrage.
Women make history by voting in San Francisco, shortly after the 19th Amendment was adopted in 1920. Resistance to women's suffrage -- both in the United States and in other countries -- began to fade after World War I. By 1918, both U.S. political parties were pushing for women's suffrage.
Underwood Archives/Getty Images