#OTD20 | September 9, 1916

Wilson Speaks on Women's Suffrage

September 9, 1916: President Woodrow Wilson speaks in Atlantic City on the issue of women’s suffrage.

The president recognizes the gravity of the movement, calling it “…one of the most astonishing tides in modern history.” But also urges patience, saying: “…when the forces of nature are steadily working and the tide is rising to meet the moon, you need not be afraid that it will not come to its flood. We feel the tide; we rejoice in the strength of it; and we shall not quarrel in the long run as to the method of it.”

Viewing Options

The women’s suffrage movement is chronicled in our curriculum-aligned film, The Progressive Era, from AMERICA IN THE 20TH CENTURY.

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Additional Resources

Access more information from Media Rich Learning and curated off-site sources.

MILLER CENTER

Read Wilson's entire speech at UVA | Miller Center.

SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE

Read the blog post How Edith Wilson Kept Herself—and Her Husband—in the White House.

#OTD20

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September 15, 1916: First Use of Tanks in Combat

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September 13, 1948: Margaret Chase Smith Elected to Senate

#OTD20 — September 10, 1948: Margaret Chase Smith is elected to the U.S. making her the first woman to serve in both chambers of Congress.

September 12, 1962: JFK Pledges “We Go to the Moon…”

#OTD20 — September 12, 1962: JFK delivers his “We Go to the Moon” address at Rice University, challenging the nation to land a man on the moon within the decade.

September 11, 1973: Coup Topples Government in Chile

#OTD20 — September 11, 1973: a military coup topples the democratically-elected government in Chile.

September 9, 1916. Woodrow Wilson Urges Patience on Women’s Suffrage

#OTD20 — September 9, 1916: President Woodrow Wilson speaks in Atlantic City, urging patience on the issue of women’s suffrage.

September 8, 1945. Korea Partitioned at 38th Parallel

#OTD20 — September 8, 1945: American troops arrive in Korea, initiating the division of the peninsula along the 38th parallel.

September 8, 1945: Huey “The Kingfish” Long Shot

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September 7, 1940. Luftwaffe attacks. London Blitz Begins.

#OTD20 — September 7, 1940: The Blitz of London begins as the German Luftwaffe launches a devastating attack on the city. By day’s end, one thousand Londoners are dead.

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