The landmark ruling in 1973 that established a woman’s legal right to have an abortion in the United States was Roe v. Wade. The U.S. Supreme Court decision declared that state laws prohibiting abortions were unconstitutional, emphasizing a woman's right to privacy under the 14th Amendment. This ruling set the legal precedent for abortion rights and sparked ongoing debates and activism regarding reproductive rights in the U.S. Despite the ruling's significance, it faced numerous challenges and restrictions over time, including attempts at overturning it, leading to continued discussions about women's autonomy and healthcare rights.