What event marked the beginning of the women's suffrage movement in the U.S.?

The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 is recognized as the event that marked the formal beginning of the women's suffrage movement in the United States. This gathering, which took place in Seneca Falls, New York, was significant because it was the first women's rights convention and brought together activists who were passionate about women's rights, specifically the right to vote. During this convention, attendees discussed various issues related to women's rights and equality, which culminated in the drafting of the Declaration of Sentiments. This declaration outlined the grievances and demands of women, including the call for suffrage.

The importance of this convention lies in its role in galvanizing support for the women's suffrage movement across the country, laying the groundwork for future activism. It initiated organized efforts to secure voting rights for women, which would continue for decades until the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920. This historical context emphasizes the significance of the Seneca Falls Convention as the starting point for a broader civil rights movement focused specifically on women's rights.