The movement against abortion rights is nearing its apex. But it began way before Roe

Activists Lori Gordon (R) and Tammie Miller (L) of Payne, Ohio, take part in the annual "March for Life" event January 22, 2002 in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

The Supreme Court ruled on Roe v. Wade in 1973, saying that access to abortion was protected in the United States.

The decision fueled the anti-abortion movement and congealed it, too. Prior to Roe, anti-abortion activists were operating on a state level, but the Supreme Court's ruling turned the movement into a national one.