Why no equal rights amendment to the constitution?

Here’s one of the most famous paintings in the U.S. Capitol that portrays 

September 17th, 1787 and the major players, including George Washington

Today honors America’s founding document – the 

“It is at all times difficult to draw with precision the line between those rights which must be surrendered, and those which may be preserved;”

George Washington submitting the final draft of the Constitution to the Continental Congress, Sept. 17, 1787. He highlighted the challenge of bringing states together with different "habits, and particular interests" but credited "concessions", "mutual deference" and the spirit of friendship for the final product.

 55 delegates attended the Convention, but only 39 signed.

 Written during four-month Convention (May 25 – 

 Created “a new form of government” ~ divided power between the states with a federal government with executive, judicial, & legislative branches.

 Congress moved date to Sept. 17th, naming it “

 Congress designated Sept. 17th *BOTH* “

” to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution and “recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.”

The first ten amendments are known as the the 

, most recently in 1992, adding one of the original amendments that didn’t make the cut in 1791, regarding federal lawmaker pay.

. In 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment, and put an end to Prohibition.

THE NEXT AMENDMENT? In 2019 Congress held the first hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment in 36 years. The amendment, passed by Congress in 1972 would have made gender equality a fundamental right, but ultimately, it was not added to the Constitution. See our source page for more.