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Lincoln gives argument against slavery
Lincoln delivered a forceful and well-reasoned argument against the spread of slavery, and became an overnight star and a leading candidate for the upcoming presidential election. -
The Pony Express began
Overland mail between Sacramento, California and St. Joseph's, Missouri is carried over the Oregon Trail for eighteen months by this series of riders on horseback. -
Abraham Lincoln was nominated president
When Abraham Lincoln was running for president he ran on an anti-slavery platform, and defeated three opponents in the campaign for the presidency. -
South Carolina left The Union
The state of South Carolina issued an "Ordinance of Secession" and declared it is leaving the Union. After this occurred other states started to follow. -
Fort Sumter
In the harbor at Charleston, South Carolina, Fort Sumter was attacked by Confederate guns. -
Lincoln calls for volunteers
President Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteers to fight the secessionist activities in the Confederated States of America, which rose to eleven southern states in secession by May. -
Lincoln sworn in as president
Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as president of the United States with Hannibal Hamlin as Vice President. -
The first Battle of Bull Run at Manassas
Led by generals such as Stonewall Jackson, the overwhelming defeat by the Confederate forces of the Union, seen by onlookers who viewed the battle as nothing more than an exercise that would be easily won, showed vibrant indication that the Civil War would not be over quickly or without much cost. -
Battle of Shiloh
One of the largest battles of the western theatre in the U.S. Civil War. This battle, along with the unconditional surrender of Fort Donelson to General Grant on February 16, signaled the first major successes of the Union army in the west. -
Homestead Act approved
Granting family farms of 160 acres (65 hectares) to settlers, many of which were carved from Indian territories. Two months later, on July 7, the Land Grant Act was approved, which called for public land sale to fund agricultural education. This act eventually led to the establishment of the state university systems. -
Emboldened by the victory at 2nd Manassas at the end of August
Begun with a skirmish the night before north of Sharpsburg, Maryland, the day of September 17 along Antietam Creek burns bright as the bloodiest day of the Civil War.
