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Why is the 26 Amendment important today?

Why is the 26 Amendment important today?

Forty years ago, the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution took effect, lowering the universal voting age in America from 21 years to 18 years. Today, young adults across America continue to exercise this enormous responsibility of citizenship.

What did the 26th Amendment accomplish?

The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

What does the 26th Amendment mean to me?

The Twenty-sixth Amendment (Amendment XXVI) to the United States Constitution prohibits the states and the federal government from using age as a reason for denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States who are at least eighteen years old.

When was the 26th amendment introduced?

Twenty-sixth Amendment to the Constitution Passed by Congress Ma, and ratified J, the 26th amendment granted the right to vote to American citizens aged eighteen or older.

What is the history of the 26th Amendment?

A constitutional amendment was required to uniformly reduce the age to 18. Endorsed by Speaker Carl Albert of Oklahoma, the amendment passed the House by a vote of 401 to 19, on Ma. With the 1972 elections looming, the 26th Amendment was ratified in record time.

Who fought for the 26th Amendment?

In 1942, the slogan prompted Congressman Jennings Randolph of West Virginia to propose an amendment to the Constitution lowering the voting age to 18. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson both championed the cause.

What are the 26 amendments?

Text of the 26 Amendment The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.

What was the voting age in 1968?

United States By 1968, several states had lowered the voting age below 21 years: Alaska and Hawaii’s minimum age was 20, while Georgia and Kentucky’s was 18.

What is the voting age in the US?

The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution lowers the voting age to 18.

What year did the voting age change to 18?

In the USA, the change came in 1971 with the 26th Amendment to the US Constitution.

What President passed the 18th Amendment?

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Why did alcohol become illegal?

National prohibition of alcohol (1920–33) — the “noble experiment” — was undertaken to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America.

Which states did not ratify the 18th Amendment?

Rhode Island was the only state to reject ratification of the 18th Amendment. The second clause gave the federal and state governments concurrent powers to enforce the amendment. Congress passed the national Prohibition Enforcement Act, also known as the Volstead Act.

Why did the 18th amendment fail?

Iacullo-Bird concluded the main reason for Prohibition’s failure was the lack of public consensus for a nationwide ban on alcohol. “Had they been willing to compromise, it’s possible that this could have gone on for a little longer.

Who created the 18th Amendment?

In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Nine months after Prohibition’s ratification, Congress passed the Volstead Act, or National Prohibition Act, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto.

Why was the 18th Amendment so important?

The 18th amendment is the only amendment to be repealed from the constitution. This unpopular amendment banned the sale and drinking of alcohol in the United States. The motivation for the 18th amendment was inspired by these activists and their desire to make a better society by outlawing alcohol.