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Today in History: Supreme Court grants federal same-sex marriage rights

6/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act violated the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause, granting federal recognition to same-sex marriages nationwide. The decision affirmed marriage as a fundamental right under the Fourteenth Amendment, overturning DOMA’s ban on federal benefits for gay couples.

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Story summary

On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act violated the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause, granting federal recognition to same-sex marriages nationwide. The decision affirmed marriage as a fundamental right under the Fourteenth Amendment, overturning DOMA’s ban on federal benefits for gay couples.