Prediction: Throughout US history bans on interracial marriage, alcohol, women's suffrage (voting), and abortion have been overturned, first by states, and then eventually by the federal government. Which one of those bans took the longest time from statewide legalization in the first state, to nationwide legalization by the US government?

1. How accurate was your prediction?

2. What story does this timeline tell?

3. Is this a good story or a bad story?

4. Which issue took the longest time from first-state legalization to nationwide legalization?

5. Which issue took the shortest time from first-state legalization to nationwide legalization?

6. What is the downside of a quick nationwide legalization?

7. Why do you think social change precedes at such different paces for different issues?

8. What do you think is going on now that has sped up the pace of national legalization?

9. Same sex marriage is now legal in 36 states. What year do you think federal action will make it legal nationwide?

10. In the comments section, speculate on what will be the next big social issue that goes from banned to nationally legal: