This Day in History: U.S. Supreme Court Legalizes Abortion
This Day in History: U.S. Supreme Court Legalizes Abortion

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.