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Early version of the diaphragm was created.
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First family planning clinic is opened.
Margaret Sanger pioneered the first family planning clinic. Unfortunately, the clinic was shut down within the first ten days of being open. -
American Birth Control League is founded by Margaret Sanger.
Margaret Sanger was an essential part of the Woman's Rights Movement. Sanger saw how important healthy birth control methods were as she watched her mother endure 18 pregnancies, with only 11 sustaining. -
The American Medical Association recognizes birth control as an important part of medical practice and education.
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North Carolina recognizes birth control as a public health measure.
North Carolina even took the issue a step further and not only recognized birth control as an important part of health care, but also offered contraceptives and other preventative care to women through their public health programs. -
Federal judge lifts "obscenity ban" on birth control.
Prior to this year, birth control was deemed "obscene" and was not to be used in the United States. It was thought that birth control promoted promiscuity among women. However, though the ban was lifted, most states still outlawed most forms of contraception. -
Gregory Pincus begins research of the use of hormones in contraception.
Margaret Sanger knew how dire the situation of safe birth control was for women. She prompted Gregory Pincus, a scientist, to begin researching the possibility of using hormones for a safer birth control. -
Carl Djerassi creates a progesterone pill.
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Gregory Pincus and John Rock conduct trial on fifty women in Massachusetts.
Pincus and Rock have success in creating the first progesterone birth control pill. -
FDA approves Envoid, first birth control pill to be approved in the U.S.
At least half a million women have already been taking the drug citing "therapeutic purposes". -
Dr. Alan Guttmacher becomes president of Planned Parenthood.
Dr. Guttmacher advocates for women's rights to a legal and safe abortion if she chooses. Public outrage over severe risks after and during abortions is on the rise. -
Griswold v. Connecticut occurs and the Supreme Court prohibits state laws denying married couples access to birth control.
The Supreme Court ruled in this case that the ban on contraception was unconstitutional and violated marital privacy. Prior to this ruling, contraception was deemed obscene. Estelle Griswold was the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and she was providing information and birth control to those who asked for it. She and Dr. C. Lee Buxton were each fined $100. Their case was taken to the Supreme Court. -
Rubella outbreak causes high rate of fetal deformities.
Public is outraged by the refusal to perform safe abortions during this outbreak. -
Health concerns on the rise for birth control pill.
Senate begins to question side effects and health risks of the birth control pill. -
Title X of the Public Health Service Act is passed.
Title X was passed in 1970 by President Nixon and Congress. The act allowed contraception to be available for people of all income levels. There was also a push within the act to expand education to give citizens a better understanding of family planning and contraception. Congress later also made a push for more prevalent sex-education programs in communities to not only teach adults, but also young people about the importance of safe sexual practices. -
Roe v. Wade
Very simply stated, Roe v. Wade legalized abortions in the United States. By citing the Fourteenth Amendment, Justice Blackmun argued that a woman had the right to privacy between her and her doctor. Therefore, anything she decides to do with her body is her own personal business, and not for the federal or state governments to doctate. However, there were limits placed on abortion once the pregnancy reaches the second trimester, and even more when the third trimester is reached. -
"Mexico City Policy"
President Reagan attempts to deny U.S. family planning help to foreign countries who offer counseling or abortion referrals to it's citizens. -
"A Year of Pain and Fear"
Groups who identify as "anti-family planning" go on a spree of bombings, beatings and assaults on staffers at abortion clinics and doctors known to perform the procedure. These attacks on women's wombs lasted into 1986. -
Courts Restrict Abortions
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services gave states much more power in restricting abortions. Also, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey allowed states to mandate parental consent to minors seeking abortion. -
Clinton Administration
Bill Clinton was the first pro-choice president the country had seen in twelve years. Clinton vetoed two abortion restricting pieces of legislature; and throughout the nation, violence at abortion clinics ran rampant. -
Abstinence Education
With Congress back under conservative ruling, a bill was passed which gave public education funding for sexual education teaching abstinence until marriage. By 2002, $500 million was distributed to these programs. -
Strides away from abstinence only education.
As of June 4, 2007, 10 states have rejected abstinence-only education and are making strides toward a more well rounded sexual education program. -
Obama Administration
President Barack Obama repealed the international gag order restricting funds from international organizations providing information and referrals for abortions. -
Afforable Health Care Act
President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act was passed in Congress in 2010, though it was not signed into law until 2012. This act allows all women in the United States access to the proper birth control and family planning tools they need for a healthy and happy reproductive and sexually active life.
