Susan B. Anthony Day
Susan B. Anthony Day is a commemorative holiday celebrating the birth of Susan B. Anthony and women’s suffrage in the United States.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: February 15 (most states), August 26 (Massachusetts), Election Day (West Virginia)
- Tagged as: Women’s Rights, Suffrage Movement, Civil Rights
- What’s the hashtag?: #SusanBAnthonyDay
- When was it founded?: 2011
- Who founded it?: Representative Carolyn Maloney
History of Susan B. Anthony Day
The holiday originated when Representative Carolyn Maloney introduced the Susan B. Anthony Birthday Act to Congress in 2011. While it wasn’t passed as a federal holiday, several states adopted it as an official observance. The day honors Anthony’s tireless work for women’s suffrage and civil rights.
Timeline
- 1820: Susan B. Anthony born in Adams, Massachusetts
- 1851: Meets Elizabeth Cady Stanton, beginning a 50-year partnership
- 1872: Arrested for voting illegally in Rochester, New York
- 1906: Dies at age 86 in Rochester, New York
- 1920: 19th Amendment (known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment) ratified
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 15 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 15 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 15 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 15 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | February 15 | Thursday |
| 2030 | February 15 | Friday |
Observed
The holiday is officially recognized in Florida, California, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and West Virginia. Each state has different observance practices: Florida marks it as a legal holiday, California and Wisconsin observe it in schools, Massachusetts celebrates it on August 26, and West Virginia commemorates it on Election Day.
Fun Facts About Susan B. Anthony
- First woman to be featured on U.S. currency (dollar coin)
- Collected anti-slavery petitions at age 17
- Founded The Revolution newspaper in 1868
- Gave up to 100 speeches per year for women’s rights
- Played chess as a favorite hobby
Quiz
- When was Susan B. Anthony born?
- What was her first major cause?
- In what year did she illegally vote?
- When was the 19th Amendment ratified?
- Which coin features her image?
FAQs
Q: Why is the day celebrated on different dates?
A: Most states observe it on Anthony’s birthday (February 15), but some states chose different dates to align with other significant events.
Q: Was it ever a federal holiday?
A: No, despite attempts to make it federal, it remains a state-level observance.
Related
- Women’s History Month
- Women’s Equality Day
- International Women’s Day
- Voting Rights Day
- Civil Rights Day