Video: 'She Derailed a Fight for Equal Rights for Women | Retro Report'

(Wednesday, March 22, 1972, vote announced at 4:38 p.m. EST; during second-wave feminism) — The Senate passed the Equal Rights Amendment today, thus completing congressional action on the amendment, which would prohibit discrimination based on sex by any law or action of any government — federal, state or local.

The ERA was approved by the U.S. Senate, 84–8, at 4:38 p.m. EST, after passing the House on October 12, 354–23, and sent to the states to consider ratification.

Thirty-two minutes later, Hawaii became the first state to ratify the amendment when the state Senate and the House of Representatives registered its approval at 12:10 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (5:10 p.m. EST).

Video: 'The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Explained'

The Senate galleries, which were filled with women of all ages and more than a few, men, mostly young, applauded, cheered and let out a few cowboy yells despite having been warned in advance by Senator William V. Roth Jr., Republican of Delaware, who was presiding, that such demonstrations Were not permitted.

The next and final step before the amendment can go into effect is ratification by 37 more states, the three-quarters required by the Constitution.

Although 35 states ratified the amendment by the original 1979 deadline (later extended to 1982), the ERA fell short of the necessary approval by at least 38 states.