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Period: to
Civil War Timespan
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The Pony Express Begins
The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse mounted riders. It operated from April 3, 1860 to October 26, 1861, between Missouri and California. -
National Democratic Nomination Convention
On April 23, 1860, Democrats meet in Charleston North Carolina to identify a nominee for the presidential election. -
Constitutional Union Convention
The Constitutional Union Party held their first convention to identify a nominee for the presidential election on May 9, 1860. -
Republican National Convention
On May 16, 1860, the Republican party held its second national convention for the presidential election in Chicago, Illinois. -
Democrats Second Convention
From June 18 to June 23, the democrats held a second convention for the 1860 presidential election in Baltimore, Maryland. -
Henry Repeating Rifle
Benjamin Henry perfects the Henry rifle, used in considerable numbers by certain Union army units in the American Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected as President
Abraham Lincoln is elected as the sixteen president of the United States, the first Republican president in the nation who represents a party opposing the spread of slavery in the territories. -
First Secession Convention
The first Secession Convention meets in Colombia, South Carolina. -
The Crittenden Compromise Fails
The Crittenden Compromise was an unsuccessful proposal to permanently enshrine slavery in the United States Constitution, and thereby make it unconstitutional for future congresses to end slavery. -
South Carolina Secedes From The Union
In 1860, the state of South Carolina officially withdraws from the United States of America. -
Prevent Confederate Threat
To prevent the Confederate threat in northern Virginia, earthworks and forts are engineered to surround the City of Washington and to add to protection -
Seceded Southern States Create Government
The southern states that seceded create a government at Montgomery, Alabama, and the Confederate States of America are formed. -
Civil War has Begun
Southern forces fire upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The Civil War has formally begun. -
Stop the Rebellion
President Lincoln issues a public declaration that an insurrection exists and calls for 75,000 militia to stop the rebellion. -
Clash of Union and Confederate Forces
A skirmish near Philippi in western Virginia, is the first clash of Union and Confederate forces in the east. -
Battle of Civil War; Big Bethel
Battle of Big Bethel, the first land battle of the war in Virginia. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run is fought near Manassas, Virginia. -
Battle of Wilson's Creek
The Confederate victory at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri emphasizes the strong southern presence. -
Fort Hatteras falls to Union Naval
Fort Hatteras at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, falls to Union naval forces which begins the Union efforts to close southern ports. -
Battle of Ball's Bluff
Battle of Ball's Bluff, Virginia turned into a retreat with many soldiers drowning while trying to recross the icy waters of the Potomac River. -
Battle of Mill Springs
The Union victory weakened the Confederate hold on the state at the Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky. -
Surrender of Fort Henry
The loss of this southern fort on the Tennessee River opened the door to Union control of the river at the Surrender of Fort Henry, Tennessee. -
Battle of Roanoke Island
A Confederate defeat at the Battle of Roanoke Island resulted in Union occupation of eastern North Carolina -
Surrender of Fort Donelson
The Surrender of Fort Donelson, Tennessee left the river in Union hands. Union General Ulysses S. Grant gained his nickname "Unconditional Surrender" here. -
Jefferson Davis Inaugurated as President
Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was the first major battle in Tennessee. -
Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines began near Richmond, Virginia. -
Seven Days' Battles
The Seven Days' Battles before Richmond begun. -
Battle of Second Bull Run
The Battle of Second Bull Run was fought on the same ground as the year before and the Union army was defeated -
Battle of Second Bull Run
The Battle of Second Bull Run was fought on the same ground as the year before and the Union army was defeated -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam, Maryland was the bloodiest single day of the Civil War. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam, Maryland was the bloodiest single day of the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect and was applauded by many abolitionists. -
Siege of Chattanooga
The Siege of Chattanooga, Tennessee begun and there were immediate plans to relieve the besieged Union army. -
Conscription in North
Conscription, or the drafting of soldiers into military service, begins in the North as it had already begun in the South the year before. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia begins. -
Siege of Vicksburg
Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi begins. -
Gettysburg Campaign
The Gettysburg Campaign continues and Southern cavalry fight with Union militia near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania begins and is the bloodiest battle of the Civil War regarding Robert E. Lee's hopes for a successful invasion of the North. -
Union Naval and Land Forces
Union naval and land forces attack Confederate defenses near Charleston, South Carolina. -
Battle of Chattanooga
The Battle for Chattanooga begun and Union forces break the Confederate siege of the city in successive attacks. -
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
On December 8, 1863, Lincoln issues his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. -
Successful Submarine Attack
The first Successful Submarine Attack of the Civil War took place on this day. -
Red River Campaign
A combined force of army and navy commands begin a campaign on the Red River in Louisiana. -
Atlanta Campaign
Beginning of the Atlanta Campaign where General William T. Sherman marched south against the Confederate Army of Tennessee. -
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia begins and Lee successfully stalls Grant's drive toward Richmond. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
The relentless and bloody Union attacks fail to dislodge Lee's army at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia. -
Abraham Lincoln Nomination
Abraham Lincoln is nominated by his party for a second term as president. -
Battle of Jonesborough
The final southern counterattack against Union troops outside the city of Atlanta fails at the Battle of Jonesborough, Georgia. -
Fall of Atlanta, Georgia
Confederate troops under General Hood evacuate the city of Atlanta and Sherman's army uses the city's defenses the following day. -
March to the Sea
General Sherman's Army of Georgia begins the "March to the Sea" -
Battle of Nashville
The Confederate Army under John Bell Hood is defeated and the threat to Tennessee ends. -
Capture of Fort Fisher
The assault and capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina occurred on January 15, 1865. -
Battle of Five Forks
The Confederate defeat initiates General Lee's decision to abandon the Petersburg-Richmond siege lines. -
Fall of Petersburg and Richmond
General Lee abandons both Petersburg and Richmond and moves his army west in hopes of joining Confederate forces. -
End of the Civil War
The Civil War officially ends. -
Signed Surrender Document
General Joseph Johnston signs the surrender document for the Confederate Army of the Tennessee and southern troops -
Capture of Jefferson Davis
Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured near Irwinville, Georgia. -
Final Battle at Palmito Ranch
The final battle of the Civil War occurs at Palmito Ranch, Texas. The battle results in a Confederate victory. -
Review of Potomac Army
The Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac in Washington, DC. -
Review of Sherman's Army
The Grand Review of General Sherman's Army in Washington, DC. -
Surrender of the Army
General Simon Bolivar Buckner enters into terms for surrender of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi. -
National Soldiers' Homes
The United States Congress authorizes national soldiers' homes. -
Rejected Presidential Veto
The United States Congress rejects presidential veto giving all equal rights. -
Andrew Johnson ends Civil War
President Andrew Johnson ends Civil War in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia -
Civil Rights Bill
The Civil Rights Bill passes over President Andrew Johnson's veto. -
ASPCA
The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is created. -
American Equal Rights
On May 1, 1866, the American Equal Rights Association forms. -
Nickel Production
The US Congress authorizes the nickel 5 cent piece on May 16, 1866. -
Metric System
The Metric system becomes a legal measurement system in the United States. -
New Orleans's Democratic Government
The New Orleans's Democratic government orders police to raid a Republican Party meeting which killed 40 people and injured 150. -
Andrew Johnson Declares Civil War Over
President Andrew Johnson formally declares US Civil War over. -
Nebraska Becomes A State
On March 1, 1867, President Andrew Johnson signed the proclamation declaring Nebraska as a state. -
Department of Education
The United States Congress creates the Department of Education -
Tenure of Office Act Enacted
The Tenure of Office Act was a United States federal law that restricted the power of the president to remove certain office-holders without the approval of the Senate. -
Congress Passes Reconstruction Acts
The Reconstruction Acts outlined the conditions under which the Southern states would be readmitted to the Union. -
Lincoln Memorial
The United States Congress approves the building of Lincoln Memorial. -
Territory of Alaska Purchased
On March 30, 1867, the United States made an agreement to purchase Alaska from Russia for a price of $7.2 million. -
Reconstructuion of South
The Reconstruction of Sound ends on March 31, 1867. -
Bank of California Opens
On June 27, 1867, the doors of the California Stockton Bank opens. -
US Takes Possession of Midway Atoll
The United States took formal possession of Midway Atoll in August of 1867 by Captain William Reynolds of the USS Lackawanna. -
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto becomes capital of Ontario on September 28, 1867.