40 years ago today - Jun 10, 1982

Despite an extension of time until 10 June 1982, proponents of ERA [the Equal Rights Amendment] could not achieve the necessary thirty-eight state ratifications. National polls consistently showed the majority of Americans in favor of the amendment. However, opponents -- who ranged from the John Birch Society and Phyllis Shafley's STOP ERA, to conservatives throughout the political spectrum of Protestant-Catholic-Mormon-Jews -- combined successfully to defeat the amendment.

[Utah History Encyclopedia: Equal Rights Amemdment, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]