Abortion Culture Timeline

By dsweezy02

  • The Comstock Act

    This act banned access to information about abortion and birth control and was one of the first examples of legislation that had to deal with the issue.

  • Life of the Mother

    Abortion is permitted when one or more physicians believe it is necessary to preserve the life of the mother.

  • The Society for Human Abortion

    Established in San Francisco and challenges abortion laws by providing information on the topic and contraception. One of the earliest examples of an organization made against abortion.

  • Abortion as a Felony

    Abortion is classified as a felony in 49 states at this time and a doctor named Dr. Leon Belous is convicted for referring a woman to an abortionist. Led to the Supreme Court Case

  • President Kennedy Steps In

    The president created the Presidential Advisory Council on the Status of Women and calls for the repeal of abortion laws. This was important as it shows the issue growing to a larger scale with the President becoming involved.

  • 1969 California Supreme Court Decision

    This case ruled in favor of the right to choose abortion, therefore it is no longer a felony

  • Hawaii sets Precedent

    Hawaii is the first state to allow abortions to be performed before 20 weeks of pregnancy, repealing the criminal abortion law. This sets a precedent for other states to soon do the same.

  • The Comstock Act repeal

    The act prohibiting information on abortion is repealed and abortion under certain conditions is allowed in 14 states. This is important as it shows a growing acceptance to the issue.

  • Roe vs. Wade

    The Supreme Court case grants women the right to terminate pregnancies through abortion. They base this on a woman's right to privacy. This is important as it sets a nationwide law that allows abortion.

  • Federally Funded Abortion Research

    The National Science Foundation Authorization Act allows research using fetal tissue on abortion. This shows the federal government's increased involvement on the issue of abortion.

  • Hyde Amendment

    Bans use of Medicaid and other federal funds for abortions. Later held up in the Supreme Court. Important as it shows the federal government's belief in not using their funds for abortion.

  • Bellotti vs. Baird

    Supreme court rules that pregnant minors can petition to the court to have an abortion without the consent of their parents. Important as it pertains to the rights of individuals regardless of age.

  • Akron Ordinance Struck Down

    The ordinance would have required doctors to give abortion patients antiabortion literature, require a waiting period, and require the fetus to be disposed of in a human manner. Law upholds that there should be no bias when deciding on the decision.

  • Webster vs. Reproductive Health Services

    The Supreme Court decides that a law in Washington state saying that "life begins at conception" and not allowing abortion to be carried out in public facilities is found unconstitutional. This is important as the Supreme Court doesn't directly reaffirm Roe vs. Wade.

  • Planned Parenthood vs. Casey

    Reaffirms Roe vs. Wade, saying that states can not ban or interfere with a woman's decision to have an abortion.

  • Michael Griffin Protester

    Protester named Michael Griffin shoots Dr. David Gunn outside a clinic in Pensacola, Florida. He is later sentenced to life in prison. This shows the true "culture war" that is building.

  • Norma McCorvey

    Known as "Jane Roe" during the Roe v. Wade court case, announces that she is pro-life and that she regrets her role in the landmark case.

  • Partial-birth Abortions

    The abortion debate is now on state bans on "partial-birth abortions" which is about late-term abortions. Congress passes the bill HR 1833 to ban these procedures, but President Clinton vetoes the bill.

  • Olympic Park Bombing

    Two bombs blast outside an Atlanta abortion clinic which injures six people and leaves the building in ruins. Committed by Eric Rudolph who was on the run for 5 years before being caught. Shows the "Cultural war" is as strong and controversial as ever.

  • Stenberg vs. Carhart

    This case strikes down Nebraska's ban on partial-birth abortion as constitutional. Important because this invalidates 29 of 31 similar state bands.

  • Partial-Birth Abortion Ban

    President George W. Bush signs this ban into law effectively banning the partial-birth rule.

  • Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

    This invalidates New Hampshire's parental notice law and remands the case to be looked at again in the future.

  • Gonzales vs. Carhart

    The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the "partial-birth abortion" ban. This law forces abortionists to find other methods of aborting older unborn babies and shows resistance to the issue. Continued Legislation on abortion and shows the cultural war continues on even now as it is still a major question for our government.