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. At the War of the Roses, it was noted that Burns wore a red rose on his label, his past "nay" votes on the issue confirming this anti-suffragist position. However, unseen to the public eye was an eight page hand written letter from his mother which urged him to take up the Suffragist cause. Along with the letter, Burns had placed a hidden yellow rose inside his jacket pocket. It was a history making change of heart as Burn's "aye" was herd in the Senate on that landmark occasion. Read about this history along with a copy of the actual letter from Mrs. Burns here (TeachAmericanhistory.org).