Why the 19th of September is an important date

Whether or not you like the current government you can thank Plato and Julius Caesar for your ability to vote.

Unless of course you are female, non-white or don’t own any land. In such cases you have more thanks to give, starting at the very least with the New Zealand suffrage movement lead by Kate Sheppard. Because of the petitions of women who wore white camellias pinned to their dresses, New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant universal suffrage (to adults over 21 years). The legislation was passed on the 19th of September 1893, which is why this date is so significant. The day women became citizens, in the true roman sense.

It is truly disappointing that an internationally important date such as this has been lost from our tradition. Today we should all be celebrating. Not just celebrating the rights of women, but celebrating the brave men who supported their wives and the ones who pushed the legislation through parliament.

If you are in Auckland City today take a white camellia down to the suffrage fountain. Or give one to a friend and remind them how lucky we are to live in a democracy. At the very least flick through Wikipedia and renew your suffrage knowledge.