On March 22, 1972, the U.S. Senate passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), sending it to the states for ratification. The proposed amendment sought to guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex. Supporters saw it as a way to eliminate legal discrimination against women. Opponents argued it might affect family law, military service, and other areas. Though many states ratified the ERA, it ultimately did not gain the required number of approvals within the deadline. The ERA remains a symbol of ongoing debate over gender equality and constitutional rights.
