What landmark legislation granted women in the U.S. the right to vote?

The 19th Amendment is the significant piece of legislation that granted women in the United States the right to vote. Ratified in 1920, the amendment states, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." This was a monumental achievement in the long struggle for women's suffrage, reflecting decades of activism and advocacy by women and their allies who fought tirelessly for equal voting rights.

The other legislative acts mentioned have different focuses. The Voting Rights Act primarily aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, particularly in Southern states. The Equal Rights Amendment sought to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex but has not been ratified. The Civil Rights Act addressed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, but it does not specifically grant voting rights to women. Therefore, the 19th Amendment is the correct answer, as it specifically recognizes and enshrines women's right to participate in the electoral process.