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Jefferson Davis's Speech
Senator of Mississippi, Jefferson Davis presented why slavery should be allowed in the territories; moreover, he also explained why the nation should be protecting slaveholders. Davis' intentions were to unite the Democratic parties. -
Republican Convention is held in Chicago, Illinois.
Lincoln wins on the third ballot. Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, an outspoken, long-time abolitionist is chosen for vice-president. -
Southern Democrats hold a convention in Richmond
Here they select John C. Breckinridge as their nominee for President -
Gov. William Henry warns Union
Governor William Henry Gist notifies other Deep South states that South Carolina is considering secession as an option -
Abe LIncoln elected
Republican Abraham Lincoln wins the Presidential election with 39.7% of the vote, defeating Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge and John Bell. -
Resignation
James Chesnut becomes the first Southerner to resign from the Senate. He is quickly followed by James H. Hammond -
First Wheeling Convention
In Preston County, Western Virginia holds its first organizational meeting, expressing a desire to "adhere to the Union". -
Fort Sumter
Major Robert Anderson reports Fort Sumter is being threatened in Charleston as federal forces begin to improved Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter in the harbor. -
Pres. Buchanan delivers his State of the Union message to Congress
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South Carolina Seceeds
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Mississippi Seceeds from the Union
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Florida Seceeds from the Union
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Alabama Seceeds from the Union
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Georgia Seceeds from the Union
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Kansas addmitted as 34th State
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Confederates fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor
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Battle at Philippi (now WV)
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Battle at Big Bethel (VA)
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Battle of Rich Mountain (now WV)
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Battle of First Manassas (Bull Run)
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Union soldiers take Roanoke Island (NC)
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Confederates surrender Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River (TN)
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Battle of Pea Ridge (AR)
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First battle of Kernstown (VA)
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Battle of Shiloh (TN)
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New Orleans falls to Union naval forces under Farragut
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Second battle of Manassas (Bull Run) (VA)
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Battle of Antietam
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Battle of Corinth (MS)
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Battle of Fredericksburg
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Emancipation Proclamation takes effect
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Battle of Chancellorsvill
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Stonewall Jackson dies
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Battle of Champion's Hill (MS)
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Battle of Brandy Station (VA)
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Second Battle of Winchester
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West Virginia admitted to Union as 35th state
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West Virginia
West Virginia becomes the 35th state to enter the United States, but the first to enter where the terms slave and free no longer mattered -
Battle of Gettysburg
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Lincoln delivers Gettysburg address
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Battle at Sabine Crossroads (LA)
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Battle of Spotsylvania (VA)
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Battle of Yellow Tavern (VA)
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Union troops occupy Atlanta
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Battle of Fisher's Hill (VA)
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Battle of Cedar Creek (VA)
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Lincoln elected for second term
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Sherman begins "March to the Sea"
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Battle of Nashville
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Savannah occupied by Union troops
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Fort Fisher falls to Union forces
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Columbia (SC) occupied by Union troops,
burned -
Charleston (SC) occupied by Union troops
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Wilmington (NC) falls to Union troops
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Lincoln inaugurated
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Richmond falls, Confederate government evacuates
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Lee surrenders at Appomattox CH
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Lincoln shot at Ford's Theatre
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Lincoln dies
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Lincoln assassin Booth trapped and killed
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Texas repeals the actions of the Secessionist Convention
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Peace with the states
The United States declares that a state of peace exists with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia -
Disease
Cholera epidemic begins in New York when an infected passenger arrives in New York. -
14Th amendment
Thirty-ninth Congress approves the 14th Amendment to the Constitution -
New Hampshire ratifies the 14th Amendment
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Congress establishes "general of the armies"
Ulysses S. Grant is immediately promoted to 4-star general and put in this position. William Tecumseh Sherman assumes the rank of Lt. General. -
The U. S. Secret Service begins an investigation into the Ku Klux Klan
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New Jersey ratifies the 14th Amendment
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Tragedy
A fire in the Philadelphia ship-yard accidently destroys a number of ships used during the Civil War -
On the 6th anniversary of secession, South Carolina rejects the 14th Amendment
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14th amendment
Blacks in Washington D. C. gain the right to vote in a bill passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto -
Nebraska becomes a state
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Tenure of Office Act
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act, denying the right of the President to remove officials who had been appointed with the consent of Congress. -
Federal army restores military rule to Mississippi
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Racism
Alexandria, Virginia rejects thousand of votes cast by Negroes, who were granted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
Nebraska ratifies the 14th Amendment
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Massachusetts ratifies the 14th Amendment
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Maryland rejects the 14th Amendment
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Ulysses S. Grant becomes ad interim Secretary of War
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Alaska
Russia turns over Alaska to the United States