English: Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, (D-12th Dist.), addresses Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians during the New Jersey National Guard’s observance of Women's Equality Day at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., August 16, 2017. The theme of this year’s observance is “Celebrating women’s right to vote.” Women's Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution granting womenthe right to vote. The 19th Amendment was originally introduced in Congress in 1878 and in 1919, was submitted to the states for ratification. The 19th Amendment, which states “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any Stateon account of sex,” was certified on August 26, 1920 after ratification by 36 states. Since 1972, Women's Equality Day is celebrated through presidential proclamation. (New Jersey National Guard photo by Mark C. Olsen/Released)