The statistic is based on data from the pro-choice Guttmacher Institute, which contacts abortion clinics directly for the numbers.

National Right to Life, using the Guttmacher stats, says there have been 63,459,781 abortions in the U.S. since Roe. The highest number of abortions took place in 1990, with an estimated 1,608,600. That number slowly declined until 2021, when the U.S. experienced 886,677 abortions.

Each January, pro-lifers gather in Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life to stand up for the unborn and call for an end to Roe. Pro-life activists hope this year's March for Life – held around the 49th anniversary of the decision – is the last one under Roe.

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case, Dobbs v. Jackson, that could lead to the undermining or overturning of Roe. The case itself involves only a single law – a second-trimester abortion ban in Mississippi – but Mississippi and others are asking the court to overturn the landmark case. The law bans abortions after 15 weeks.

This year's March for Life was held Friday.

Lila Rose, president and founder of Live Action, said it's essential that pro-lifers support not only the unborn but the mothers who need support. Live Action participated in Friday's event.

"For almost 50 years advocates in defense of our basic human right to be born and live have marched to the Supreme Court to make it clear that the continued intentional killing of our youngest citizens is unconscionable and must stop," Rose said. "... Live Action and our advocates will be out in full force, sharing our message of love and support for both preborn children and their strong, courageous mothers. We will also share signs that show the undeniable humanity of the child in the womb, images which everyone needs to see, including our Supreme Court justices as they deliberate the fate of Dobbs v. Jackson, which should end the injustice of Roe v. Wade once and for all."

Rose calls Roe the "most unconstitutional and unjust ruling in American history."

Pro-life activists believe the 2022 March for Life could be the final one under Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hand down its decision later this year, possibly in May or June.

"Let's hope this week represents the last anniversary with that dreadful decision on the books," said Philip Klein, the editor of National Review.

So proud to work at a publication that has fought to protect every human life so passionately and unapologetically ever since Roe. Let's hope this week represents the last anniversary with that dreadful decision on the books. https://t.co/yrhl7gGf7T

— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) January 19, 2022

"The truth is simple: abortion takes a baby's life," said U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson. "We pray that 2022 is the year the Supreme Court will recognize this truth once again."

I spoke today to mark the tragic anniversary of Roe v Wade.

In the coming months you will hear a lot of talk from the pro-abortion lobby. The truth is simple: abortion takes a baby’s life.

We pray that 2022 is the year the Supreme Court will recognize this truth once again. pic.twitter.com/20LHofex0B

— Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) January 20, 2022

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Drew Angerer/Staff

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.