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Harry T Burn

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Harry T Burn: The Unexpected Architect of Women's Suffrage



The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, granting women the right to vote, stands as a monumental achievement in American history. Yet, the story behind its passage is often reduced to a simple narrative of heroic suffragists. While the tireless efforts of women like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul are undeniably crucial, a lesser-known figure played a pivotal, even unexpected, role: Harry T. Burn, a young Tennessee state representative. His vote, cast under immense pressure, tipped the scales in favor of suffrage, altering the course of American democracy. This article delves into the life and legacy of Harry Burn, exploring the context of his decision and its enduring significance.


The Tennessee Legislature and the Suffrage Battle: A Tightrope Walk



By 1920, the 19th Amendment had already been approved by the required number of states, except for Tennessee. The state legislature was deeply divided, mirroring the national debate. Powerful figures wielded significant influence, lobbying fiercely on both sides. Anti-suffragists, largely composed of conservative politicians and rural landowners, argued that women's suffrage would disrupt the social order and lead to societal instability. They emphasized traditional gender roles and feared women's political participation would undermine family values.

Conversely, proponents, including many progressive-minded individuals and urban dwellers, argued that denying women the right to vote was fundamentally unjust and undemocratic. They highlighted women's growing participation in society and their contributions to various spheres, arguing that their voices deserved to be heard in the political arena.

The Tennessee legislature was locked in a dramatic standoff. The fate of the amendment rested on a single vote – a precarious situation fraught with intense lobbying and emotional appeals.


Harry Burn: The Reluctant Hero



Harry Burn, a 24-year-old representative from Niota, Tennessee, was a relatively unknown figure before the suffrage vote. He hailed from a rural, conservative district, and his constituents were overwhelmingly opposed to women's suffrage. Initially, Burn leaned towards the anti-suffrage stance, reflecting the views of his constituents. However, the intense pressure and lobbying from both sides, coupled with his own evolving understanding of the issue, forced him to grapple with the moral and political implications of his vote.


The Influence of Mother and the Power of Persuasion



The turning point for Burn came through a letter from his mother, Febb Burn. This seemingly simple correspondence proved instrumental in shaping his final decision. While the exact contents of the letter remain partially obscured by history, it's widely believed that Febb Burn urged her son to vote for suffrage, emphasizing the importance of upholding principles of fairness and equality. The letter, a poignant reminder of the moral weight of his decision, swayed Burn towards the pro-suffrage side.


The Vote and its Immediate Aftermath



On August 18, 1920, the Tennessee House of Representatives prepared for the final vote on the 19th Amendment. The atmosphere was electric, with the gallery overflowing with spectators and intense anticipation palpable throughout the chamber. After days of intense debate and maneuvering, the vote was tied. All eyes turned to Harry Burn. Despite the immense pressure and the likely political repercussions within his conservative district, he cast his vote in favor of suffrage, breaking the tie and securing the amendment's passage. His vote was met with an eruption of cheers from the suffrage supporters present, a stark contrast to the stunned silence from the anti-suffrage lobbyists.

The immediate aftermath saw a wave of celebration amongst women's rights activists across the nation. Burn, however, faced criticism and backlash in his district. He was branded a traitor by some of his constituents, highlighting the deep divisions surrounding the issue.


Burn's Legacy and the Enduring Significance of his Decision



Despite the initial backlash, Burn's legacy has evolved over time. He's been recognized as a pivotal figure in the fight for women's suffrage, a testament to the power of individual conscience and the unexpected ways history unfolds. His vote didn't just secure the passage of the 19th Amendment; it symbolized a shift in societal attitudes towards gender equality and broadened the scope of American democracy. His story serves as a powerful reminder that even seemingly insignificant individuals can have a profound impact on history. His actions continue to inspire discussions about political courage, the importance of listening to diverse perspectives, and the ongoing struggle for equal rights.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):



1. What was the exact content of Febb Burn's letter? The exact wording of the letter remains a subject of scholarly debate, with only excerpts available. However, it's widely believed to have urged him to vote for suffrage based on moral principles.

2. Did Harry Burn face any long-term political consequences for his vote? Yes, he faced considerable backlash from his conservative constituents. Though he was re-elected, his political career wasn't significantly advanced after the suffrage vote.

3. How did Burn's vote compare to the votes of other Tennessee representatives? The Tennessee legislature was incredibly divided. The vote was initially tied, highlighting the close nature of the debate and Burn's crucial role.

4. What other factors besides his mother's letter influenced Burn's decision? Intense lobbying from both sides, the pressure of the moment, and his own evolving understanding of the issue all played a role.

5. What is the lasting significance of Harry Burn's actions today? His story serves as a powerful example of individual courage and the unexpected ways history can be shaped. It reminds us of the importance of individual conscience, the power of persuasion, and the enduring struggle for equal rights. His legacy continues to inspire discussions about political courage and the fight for social justice.

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The Nudge And Tie Breaker That Took Women's Suffrage From Nay To Yea - NPR 17 Aug 2020 · But the fight to secure women that right to vote was decades long, and the final step toward ratification hinged on the decision of one young man in Tennessee: state Rep. Harry T. Burn.

Harry T. Burn - Wikipedia Harry Thomas Burn Sr. (November 12, 1895 – February 19, 1977) [1] was a Republican member of the Tennessee General Assembly for McMinn County, Tennessee. Burn became the youngest member of the state legislature when he was elected at the age of twenty-two.

Mother Knew Best - HistoryNet 4 Jan 2018 · Harry T. Burn, the youngest member of the Tennessee State legislature, nervously fingered the letter in his jacket pocket. On August 18, 1920, the eyes of Americans everywhere were on Tennessee. Thirty-five states had ratified the 19th Amendment, which would give women the right to vote.

Harry T. Burn - U.S. National Park Service Born and raised in the small town of Niota in Eastern Tennessee, Harry T. Burn became the youngest member of the Tennessee General Assembly when he was elected in 1918 at the age of twenty-two. He entered history two years later, on August 18, 1920, when he cast the deciding vote to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham plan reveals England direction … 21 Mar 2025 · Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham plan reveals England direction under Thomas Tuchel. England 2-0 Albania: Tuchel made a winning start at Wembley and made one thing clear in his first game in charge

The vote that led to the 19th Amendment | Constitution Center 18 Aug 2023 · The story of Harry T. Burn, the seemingly rogue 24-year-old legislator, has become a bit embellished over the years. And in fact, women had won the right to vote in some states before the 19th Amendment was passed by Congress and ratified by three-quarters of the states then in the Union.

Harry T. Burn: A Vote for Women - JFK Library Harry T. Burn was courageous enough to act on his convictions and do the right thing despite extreme pressure and even though he knew it might end his career.

Harry T. Burn - War of the Roses: Women Suffrage in TN Harry T. Burn: The Deciding Vote (TeachAmericanhistory.org) At the young age of 24, Tennessee representative Harry T. Burn cast the deciding vote to ratify the 19th Amendment at the Tennessee General Assembly in 1920.

Suffrage in 60 Seconds: Harry Burn - U.S. National Park Service 1 Sep 2020 · Harry T. Burn was the youngest member of the Tennessee General Assembly when he cast his fateful vote in August 1920.

19th Amendment History: The Forgotten Life of Febb Burn 20 Aug 2024 · For it was her oldest son Harry T. Burn—immortalized by the Burn Memorial in a buzzy part of Knoxville—who would end up casting the deciding vote that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment, ending suffragists’ long crusade that won women the right to vote.

Representative Harry T. Burn - OCLC Harry T. Burn was a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from Niota, in McMinn County. Elected at the age of twenty-two, he became the youngest member of the state legislature. Burn voted with anti-suffragists on a motion to table the ratification resolution for the 19th Amendment that would grant women the right to vote.

Who was harry T burn? - Answers 28 Apr 2022 · Harry T. Burn, Sr. (born November 12, 1895 in Niota, Tennessee, USA - February 19, 1977), was a member of the Tennessee General Assembly for McMinn County, Tennessee. Burn became...

East Tennessee politician Harry Burn and his vote for 19th … 16 Aug 2020 · Harry T. Burn stands as an outsized figure in the suffrage movement, the story of his dramatic turnabout vote in favor of ratifying the 19th Amendment part of Tennessee lore.

Harry T. Burn - teachtnhistory.org The following document is a telegram from John W. Bayless of Athens, TN to Harry T. Burn urging that Burn remain firm and vote for ratification of the 19 th Amendment, which would place his name among the immortal in American history.

Harry Kane namechecks Dan Burn for shock England role as … 20 Mar 2025 · England captain Harry Kane has namechecked Newcastle United star Dan Burn when talking about a key role in the squad - despite the defender having yet to win a cap. Burn was a surprise call-up to ...

Dan Burn: Newcastle hero's story shines a light on second … 22 Mar 2025 · But it wasn't always this way for the 32-year-old. Burn was dropped from the club's academy aged 11, drawing comparisons with Jamie Vardy, another player released by a professional team's youth ...

Be a Good Boy - Learning for Justice In Tennessee, the struggle for women’s suffrage became known as the war of the roses. Burn reached inside his jacket and touched the letter he had just received from his mother urging her son to “be a good boy” and “vote for suffrage.” What should he do?

“Don’t forget to be a Good Boy”: Amendment in Tennessee In the midst of the excitement, no one could discern the inner turmoil that waged within Harry Burn’s mind. Sitting in his chair in the third row to the right of the rostrum, Burn adorned a red rose (the symbol of the antis) on his jacket lapel.

Burn Memorial - The Historical Marker Database 4 Jul 2021 · Harry T. Burn (1895-1977) Born in Niota Tennessee, Harry served in the Tennessee House of Representatives (1918-1922) and in the Tennessee Senate (1948-1952). After his historic tie-breaking vote, Governor Roberts called in the National Guard to protect him. A grand jury was convened to investigate the motive for his last minute change of vote.

Dan Burn: Newcastle defender still yet to celebrate Carabao Cup … 18 Mar 2025 · Dan Burn hoping to follow Carabao Cup heroics for Newcastle by earning first England cap; the 32-year-old felt a Three Lions call-up had passed him by after being overlooked by Thomas Tuchels ...

England 2-0 Albania LIVE REACTION: Three Lions win first 21 Mar 2025 · Thomas Tuchel believes his England side weren't at their best this evening, despite a 2-0 win. Tuchel promised attacking football and at times, the Three Lions seemed to lack some threat and tempo ...

Burn, only son of Tenn. legislator who cast deciding vote for … Harry T. Burn Jr., the son of the Tennessee legislator who cast the "aye" vote in 1920 that ratified the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, died of stomach cancer Thursday at his...

Harry Thomas Burn - The Historical Marker Database 28 Jul 2013 · Harry Thomas Burn Marker. Inscription. A native of Niota, Harry T. Burn held public office for much of his adult life; State House of Representatives, 1919-23; State Senate 1949-53; State Planning Commission 1952-58; delegate of Roane County to the Constitutional Conventions of 1953, 1959, 1965.

Harry T Burn - Museum Center at Five Points Harry T Burn . November 12, 1895- February 19, 1977 . Harry T Burn was born in Mouse Creek, TN. His father was the local stationmaster and a community businessman and his mother was a teacher. Harry was the oldest of four children. His political career began very early, he was elected to the State Legislature at age 22 in 1917, making

“Failure is Impossible!” The Battle for the Ballot - U.S. National ... Harry T. Burn had a secret. Everyone assumed he was an “anti,” meaning he would vote against ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. After all, the 24-year-old first-term member of the Tennessee House of Representatives was from a conservative district, and he was running for reelection in the fall.