What did Roe v. Wade actually say? The landmark abortion rights ruling, explained

As Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun opened his 112-paragraph majority opinion in Roe v. Wade, he made it clear the justices understood the legal and legislative minefield they had entered.

We “acknowledge our awareness of the sensitive and emotional nature of the abortion controversy, of the vigorous opposing views, even among physicians, and of the deep and seemingly absolute convictions that the subject inspires,” he wrote.

In the nearly five decades since, the abortion debate has become no less emotional and divisive while the ruling has been referenced countless times in efforts to overturn or strengthen the opinion.

Still, from today's more politically polarized era, the 7-2 decision in 1973 — which struck down an 1854 Texas law that banned abortions unless needed to save the mother’s life –  looks oddly bi-partisan with justices nominated by Republican and Democratic presidents lining up on both sides of the debate.