26th Amendment and Rights/Responsibilities
The Ratification of Amendment XXVI
When it comes to Rights and Responsibilities, so many events occurred in history that could fit the criteria of that theme. But one particular historical event can top all the others not only because it fits the subject, but because it is actually somewhat interesting to learn about. The ratification of the 26th Amendment is no doubt one of the most important things that could have happened to our country. In the heat of World War II, this Amendment was one that just flashed by, with the fastest ratification out of all of the Amendments so far! But an event that was so quick mustn’t be overlooked. The 26th Amendment has changed the lives of U.S. citizens for life. It all starts in early 1971. During the heat of war with Vietnam, many 18-21-year-olds were being drafted into the war. At first there were no problems, but then elections came. Many of these young adults were completely outraged that they could not vote. In fact, lawmakers became uncomfortable that some draftees were too young to vote. These concerns gave rise to the slogan, “Old enough to fight, old enough to vote.” (Lipsky, Seth. "Amendment XXVI." The Citizen's Constitution an Annotated Guide. New York, NY: Basic, 2009. 284-85. Print.) Even in a case in 1970, Oregon v. Mitchell, Congress tried to lower the voting age to 18, but to no avail. It angered those being drafted even more that people had tried to help them but the government would not allow it. So what happened when young soldiers were upset? Of course the government tried again to have the legal voting age lowered to eighteen years of age. This time, it passed the House 400 to 19 on March 23rd, 1971 (“The 26th Amendment." US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Aug. 2013). Of course many teens were happy about this. And it wasn’t long before the incoming Amendment went through many other stages of ratification. The 26th Amendment to the U.S. constitution was ratified
When it comes to Rights and Responsibilities, so many events occurred in history that could fit the criteria of that theme. But one particular historical event can top all the others not only because it fits the subject, but because it is actually somewhat interesting to learn about. The ratification of the 26th Amendment is no doubt one of the most important things that could have happened to our country. In the heat of World War II, this Amendment was one that just flashed by, with the fastest ratification out of all of the Amendments so far! But an event that was so quick mustn’t be overlooked. The 26th Amendment has changed the lives of U.S. citizens for life. It all starts in early 1971. During the heat of war with Vietnam, many 18-21-year-olds were being drafted into the war. At first there were no problems, but then elections came. Many of these young adults were completely outraged that they could not vote. In fact, lawmakers became uncomfortable that some draftees were too young to vote. These concerns gave rise to the slogan, “Old enough to fight, old enough to vote.” (Lipsky, Seth. "Amendment XXVI." The Citizen's Constitution an Annotated Guide. New York, NY: Basic, 2009. 284-85. Print.) Even in a case in 1970, Oregon v. Mitchell, Congress tried to lower the voting age to 18, but to no avail. It angered those being drafted even more that people had tried to help them but the government would not allow it. So what happened when young soldiers were upset? Of course the government tried again to have the legal voting age lowered to eighteen years of age. This time, it passed the House 400 to 19 on March 23rd, 1971 (“The 26th Amendment." US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Aug. 2013). Of course many teens were happy about this. And it wasn’t long before the incoming Amendment went through many other stages of ratification. The 26th Amendment to the U.S. constitution was ratified