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Saturday ceremony in Niota, Tennessee, will mark passage of 19th Amendment

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / City recorder Jeannie Anderson sets out mugs featuring a mural celebrating suffrage for women as Niota mayor Lois Preece, back, looks on as they prepare for a celebration of Harry T. Burn on Friday in the Niota Depot. In 1920, Harry T. Burn cast the deciding vote which led to women's suffrage in the United States.
Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / City recorder Jeannie Anderson sets out mugs featuring a mural celebrating suffrage for women as Niota mayor Lois Preece, back, looks on as they prepare for a celebration of Harry T. Burn on Friday in the Niota Depot. In 1920, Harry T. Burn cast the deciding vote which led to women's suffrage in the United States. Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / City recorder Jeannie Anderson sets out mugs featuring a mural celebrating suffrage for women as Niota mayor Lois Preece, back, looks on as they prepare for a celebration of Harry T. Burn on Friday in the Niota Depot. In 1920, Harry T. Burn cast the deciding vote which led to women's suffrage in the United States.

By Ben Benton 9 min read

A century ago this month, a 24-year-old McMinn County lawmaker cast a vote that changed the world, a moment in history that will be recognized this weekend in his hometown of Niota, Tennessee.

Niota native Harry T. Burn on Aug. 18, 1920, cast the deciding ballot for Tennessee to become the 36th and final state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment, formally giving women the right to vote.

Burn’s legacy lives on in his hometown, where a ceremony set for Saturday hosted by the Niota Depot Preservation Committee will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, its link to Niota and Burn, who was born there in 1895.

The U.S. Postal Service will conduct the ceremony, according to Niota Mayor Lois Preece. Due to COVID-19 concerns, an invitation-only unveiling ceremony for a commemorative stamp is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday followed by a public exhibition at 12:30 p.m.

State, federal and local government officials, Burn family members and the county historian will be among the speakers. A mask and social distancing are required.