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Today in History: First U.S. women's rights convention opens Seneca Falls

7/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On July 19-20 1848, activists gathered in Seneca Falls’ Wesleyan Chapel for the United States’ first women’s-rights convention, publicly debating women’s social, civil and religious status. The two-day meeting produced the groundbreaking “Declaration of Sentiments” and sparked a series of subsequent rights conventions across the nation.

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Story summary

On July 19-20 1848, activists gathered in Seneca Falls’ Wesleyan Chapel for the United States’ first women’s-rights convention, publicly debating women’s social, civil and religious status. The two-day meeting produced the groundbreaking “Declaration of Sentiments” and sparked a series of subsequent rights conventions across the nation.