The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade in 1973 had a profound impact on reproductive rights and women's autonomy in the United States. By ruling that the Constitution protects a woman's right to choose to terminate her pregnancy, the decision effectively legalized abortion nationwide. The Court established the framework of viability, allowing states to impose restrictions after the fetus could survive outside the womb. This landmark ruling sparked intense political and social debates, influencing public policy, activism, and legislation surrounding women's rights and reproductive health and remains a pivotal legal precedent in discussions about personal freedoms and privacy.