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Today in History: Congress Passes Defense of Marriage Act

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 10:35 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On September 21 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law defining marriage exclusively as a union between one man and one woman. DOMA barred federal recognition of same-sex marriages and permitted states to refuse acknowledging such unions performed elsewhere.

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Story summary

On September 21 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law defining marriage exclusively as a union between one man and one woman. DOMA barred federal recognition of same-sex marriages and permitted states to refuse acknowledging such unions performed elsewhere.