7. Abortion Rights and Roe V. Wade

Abortion rights in the U.S. gained national recognition with the Supreme Court's 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. This landmark ruling established that a woman has the constitutional right to choose to terminate her pregnancy, recognizing her privacy rights. It shaped the reproductive rights movement by affirming that the government cannot overly restrict access to abortion during the first trimester. Roe v. Wade catalyzed ongoing debates about reproductive rights, influencing legislation, public opinion, and activist movements, and remains a pivotal case in discussions about women's autonomy and healthcare access.