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Declaration of Independence
The inception of the nation is marked at this event. In separating itself from the British Empire's oppression, the newly minted United States was given the platform to redefine the contemporary conventions of freedom and liberty. -
Constitution Signing
The new form of representative government included a system of checks and balances to protect civil liberties, never before seen in such elaborate and well-considered construction. Its guarantee of both a strong central government and prioritization of personal liberties gave the people of the United States (at the time only applying to rich white men) security and freedom unprecedented in its age. -
Bill of Rights Signing
The Bill of Rights, containing a set of Amendments defining specific liberties afforded to US citizens, was revolutionary in its contrivance. Providing so many important liberties that were abridged by almost all other governments of the age showed a strong component of wisdom, and expanded upon the ideas of liberty and freedom. This Bill, however does not apply to women, and most American men still treat their wives as their personal property. -
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Universal White Male Suffrage
In allowing all white men to vote in the election of 1828, the country removed a socio-economic barrier to political participation and served to further expand civil liberties and the breadth of the protections offered by the Constitution. -
Seneca Falls Convention
After nearly a century of being ignored by the law, women finally take a stand for themselves and try to discuss terms for development of their rights and recognition within the nation at the behest of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Scott. However, not much is accomplished at the conference, and political change for women is still a far, far away event. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This piece of legislation expanded the definition of freedom to include African American slaves, providing them the path to earn full and complete citizenship in accordance with the ratification of the 14th Amendment. -
19th Amendment Ratification
A long time coming, the nation finally expanded its definition of citizenship and democracy to allow women to vote and have political representation within the government. -
Civil Rights Act
Lyndon B Johnson cements women's rights within this act, while also securing victories for minority racial groups and immigrants. This act outlawed statutory discrimination against anyone on basis of their sex, race, religion, or national origin, and guaranteed a better future for all women of the age.