After the last state ratified (3/4 of the total), it became official when it was certified by the U.S. Secretary of State.

This civic holiday was created by a House Resolution submitted by the NY activist Bella Abzug. It didn’t pass until 1973, but in 1972, President Richard Nixon issued a presidential proclamation calling Aug 26 “Women’s Rights Day.” The 1973 version of the congressional resolution renamed Aug 26 “Women’s Equality Day.” Read more>>