Battle For Ratification
In 1878, the 19th amendment was first introduced into Congress, needing agreement from three-fourths of the states to pass. By 1915, 23 states had at least partial suffrage laws, and by 1919, the amendment was passed by the House of Representatives with 304-89 votes and the Senate with 56-25 votes. Once Tennessee became the 36th and final state to grant suffrage on August 18, 1920, the amendment met all the requirements needed.
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"Dear Son: Hurrah, and vote for suffrage! Don't keep them in doubt. I noticed some of the speeches against. They were bitter. I have been watching to see how you stood, but have not noticed anything yet. Don't forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the 'rat' in ratification. Your Mother." -Phoebe Ensminger Burn's note to her son Tennessee state legislator Harry Burns, August 18, 1920
The note gave Burns a change of heart, giving the deciding vote of "aye" and sending the amendment to ratification.