This Day in History:
U.S. Supreme Court
Legalizes Abortion January 22, 1973 In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruled that as part of their constitutional right to privacy, women can terminate a pregnancy during its first two trimesters. The controversial ruling essentially
reversed a century of anti-abortion
legislation in the United States. It was the result of a
call by many American
women for control over their
own reproductive processes. The legalization of abortion became
a divisive issue, with pro-choice and pro-life organizations strengthening their memberships
and political influence. On three separate occasions in the 1980s and 90s, the Supreme Court narrowly reaffirmed the decision. With the current majority of
conservative justices on the Court,
there are fears that the historic legislation
is vulnerable to reversal.