On February 26, 1869, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by Congress, marking a significant milestone in the fight for voting rights. This amendment, ratified on February 3, 1870, guaranteed that the right to vote could not be denied based on race. The 15th Amendment was a crucial step towards ensuring equal voting rights for all citizens, particularly Black men who had previously been excluded from the democratic process.
Saturday marked 154 years since the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution – Feb. 3, 1870 – which guaranteed Black men the right to vote. This historic moment was a triumph over centuries of systemic racism and oppression, giving African Americans a voice in shaping the future of the nation.
The thousands of people who gathered in Boston on April 14 celebrated that victory and trampled down that exclusion. On that day, African Americans and their allies came together to commemorate the hard-fought battle for voting rights and to honor those who paved the way for future generations.
The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, theoretically protecting the voting rights of all citizens. However, in reality, Black voters continued to face obstacles such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation at the polls.
Despite the progress made with the ratification of the 15th Amendment, the fight for voting rights is far from over. Calls for constitutional amendments to guarantee the right to vote for all citizens have grown louder in recent years, emphasizing the need to protect this fundamental democratic right.
We should amend the Constitution to grant an affirmative right to vote, ensuring that all eligible citizens have equal access to the ballot box. This would further strengthen the principles of democracy and uphold the ideals of the 15th Amendment, which aimed to eliminate discrimination in voting based on race.
On this day in history, Feb. 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment was ratified, declaring that all citizens had voting rights and could not be denied. The legacy of this amendment continues to inspire generations of Americans to strive for equality and justice in our electoral system.
In light of recent debates surrounding voting rights, the 15th Amendment serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made and the challenges that still lie ahead. As we reflect on this historic milestone, let us renew our commitment to protecting and expanding voting rights for all citizens.
