Civil War/Reconstruction

Start of the Civil War

Apr 12, 1861

South-The South fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC as the North was trying to restock it. This was the first battle of the Civil War and the official start of it. The Confederates won the battle when it was surrendered the next day, on April 13, 1861.

Battle of Big Bethel

Jun 10, 1861

South-The first land battle of the Civil War after the attack on Fort Sumter. The Confederates won the battle. This battle was in Virginia, near Newport News.

Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

South-Known as the First Battle of Bull Run, or the First Manassas, it was the first major battle of the Civil War. It resulted in a Confederate win. It also showed that the South wasn't messing around. There would eventually be a second Battle of Bull Run.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

North-Known as the bloodiest battle in American history, the Battle of Antietam was a one day battle, resulting in over 23,000 casualties. It shouldn't be called a victory, it was tactically inconclusive, but it was a Union strategic victory.

Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

North-President Abraham Lincoln issued this proclamation, declaring that slaves in the South would be free. It came with a condition, stating that it would only happen if the Union won the war, which makes sense.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

North-The Battle of Gettysburg is known as the turning point in the Civil War. That is because when the Confederates were defeated and had to retreat, they never recovered. This is known as the costliest battle of the Civil War and spanned three days. It resulted in a Union victory. It ended July 3, 1863.

Battle of Monocacy

Jul 9, 1864

South-The Battle of Monocacy was a Confederate victory and was fought as part of the Valley Campaigns. Near Frederick, Maryland, it is called the fight that saved Washington D.C.

Battle and Surrender of Appomattox Court House

Apr 9, 1865

North-The last battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Appomattox Court House resulted in a Union victory. It also ended in general Robert E. Lee's surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant. This was the end of the four-year-long Civil War. It was actually just three days away from being exactly four years from the start.

Abraham Lincoln's Assassination

Apr 15, 1865

Both-Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre, by a man named John Wilkes Booth. He was shot while watching a play but did not die immediately, suffering for a few more hours before finally dying.

13th Amendment

Dec 6, 1865

Both-The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, making it and all illegal servitude illegal, except for as punishment for crime. That didn't completely stop it of course, but it got fairly close.

14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1868

Both-The 14th Amendment gave citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to African Americans and slaves who had been emancipated after and during the Civil War. Of course, they weren't treated very well, but they legally had rights.

15th Amendment

Feb 2, 1870

Both-The 15th Amendment allowed all men to vote, regardless of race, color, or other things like that. They, of course, had to be of age, but they were still allowed to vote, but not women.