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States grant married women the right to own property in their own name. Before this, only their husband's could own the property.
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Joseph Smith outlaws polygamy in the Church of Latter Day Saints. Members would be kicked out of the church if they took more than one wife.
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All women acquire their husband's nationality after getting married. Knowing what we know today, this is a very restrictive law.
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All states now require marriage licenses. This shows that the government recognizes marriage as a civil union.
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Married women were granted citizenship independent of their husband's. So, they are now no longer property of their husband.
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California Supreme Court overturns ban on interracial marriage and makes it legal.
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The US Supreme Court overturns laws prohibiting interracial couples from marrying. Finally, interracial marriages were recognized in all of the United States as being legal.
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The US Supreme Court agrees with an Alabama law which forces a women to take her husband's last name. Despite all of the progress made, women still lack the independence to choose what name they would like.