The United States is known as the land of opportunity or the land of freedom, but where does the line get drawn? America is a place of choices and rights, that's why there will always be controversy and arguments. One of the longest standing arguments in our nation's history deals with abortion and its legality. Abortion is the killing of an unborn child and has been debated on since the beginning. Both sides argue on and on but no real conclusion has ever stuck. Abortion is wrong and is the wrongful killing of a helpless unborn child because the mother can't handle it or simply because she doesn't want it.
             Abortion in scientific terms is the termination of an embryo or fetus while still in the mother's womb. Abortion can either be done surgically or medically by a doctor at an abortion clinic. English colonists traveling to the new world not only brought their families but they also brought over English Common Law which would govern over the new colonies. English Common Law forbade abortion and any woman whom chose to have one was severely punished. These laws were in effect for around a hundred years before the British Parliament recognized abortion as a on-running debate and cause for problems. Eventually they realized this and passed the "Offenses Against the Persons Act" which stated that having an abortion was no longer a felony but now was recognized as a misdemeanor. By 1860, 85% of the colonies had developed their own interpretation of the law and abortion was again cause for debate due to the many different opinions on abortion. When did the first state legalize abortion? Abortion remained illegal until Colorado and California legalized abortion in 1967. Within 3 years 16 other states had legalized abortion and recognized it as a woman's choice and right. Within another year another 12 states had recognized abortion as legal only in the case of rape, incest, and if the life of the mother is at risk.
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