The statement, "The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied because of sex" became a part of the U.S. Constitution in what year? Was it 1787 when the constitution was written, or as an amendment in 1865, 1920, or 1945?

The United States Constitution formally recognized women's right to vote in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. This landmark achievement was the result of a long and arduous struggle for women's suffrage. When the Constitution was first written in 1787, the power to determine voting qualifications was left to the states, which overwhelmingly restricted this right to white, property-owning men. The idea of extending voting rights to women was considered radical by many at the time.

The journey to the 19th Amendment was a multi-generational effort, with organized movements for women's suffrage beginning in the mid-19th century. Activists lectured, wrote, marched, and engaged in civil disobedience to advocate for their right to vote. The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, was a significant step in expanding voting rights, as it prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. However, it did not extend this protection to women, a point of contention for many suffragists.

By the early 20th century, the momentum for women's suffrage was undeniable. Several states had already granted women the right to vote in some capacity. The tireless advocacy of suffragists, combined with women's significant contributions during World War I, helped to shift public opinion and gain the support of President Woodrow Wilson. After passing through Congress in 1919, the 19th Amendment was ratified by the required number of states in 1920, finally enshrining in the Constitution the principle that the right of citizens to vote "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The year 1945 did not see a constitutional amendment related to voting rights on this scale.