The primary role of the Supreme Court in the landmark case Roe v. Wade was to adjudicate the constitutionality of a Texas law prohibiting most abortions. Decided in 1973, the Court ruled that a woman's right to choose to have an abortion fell under the right to privacy protected by the 14th Amendment. This decision effectively legalized abortion across the United States, sparking intense debates over women's rights, reproductive health, and state authority. Roe v. Wade remains a pivotal case in legal history, influencing subsequent discussions on reproductive rights and the ongoing challenges faced by women.