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Witness History: First Birth Control Clinic Opened in the US

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First Birth Control Clinic Opened in the US

13/10/2011 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, First Birth Control Clinic Opened in the US

Margaret Sanger's clinic was open for 10 days giving women advice about contraception

The first birth control clinic in the US was opened in October 1916. The woman behind it, Margaret Sanger, was arrested for breaking obscenity laws.

Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the US in 1916. It was open for 10 days, giving women advice about contraception. For this she was arrested for breaking obscenity laws and was sent to prison for 30 days. She spent her time there teaching women about birth control. 

Later she went on to found The Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 

Photo: Margaret Sanger (left) outside court, awaiting trial.

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