-
Birth
Jefferson Davis is born in Kentucky. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise prohibited slavery north of 36 degrees, 30 minutes north latitude. -
Dad's Death and West Point
Jefferson Davis is appointed a cadet at West Point on March 11. But later this year on July 4 his dad dies. -
Marriage and Resignation
After serving in the Black Hawk Indian War, Jefferson Davis resigns from the military to marry his commander's daugther, Sarah Taylor. Sarah dies within three months of their marriage from malarial fever. -
2nd Marriage, Congress, and Mexican-American War
On February 26, Jefferson Davis marries Varina Howell. He is elected on a Democrat ticket to the House of Representatives by Mississippi. A year later, he resigns from Congress to join Mexican-American War. -
Mexican-American War
The United States annex Texas and goes to war with Mexico. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo
The Mexican-American War ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo. -
Senate
Jefferson Davis is elected by Mississippi to the Senate. -
Secretary of War
Jefferson Davis is appointed as a secretary of war and remains one until the president who appointed him, Franklin Pierce, term ended. -
Dred Scott
The Supreme Court rules that the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights do not apply to African-Americans. -
Presidential Election
Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States. -
Secetion
South Carolina unanimously decides to secede from the Union, 169 votes to 0. -
President of the Confederacy
Jefferson Davis is informed about his election to be a provisional president. He is formally elected and takes office a year later. -
Blockade
Abraham Lincoln orders a blockade of Confederate ports. -
Robert E. Lee
Jeeferson Davis appoints Robert E. Lee as commander of the Confederate Army. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Capture
Jefferson Davis is captured in Georgia and held at Fort Monroe. He is held there for two years on charges of treason, but is released on bail in 1867. He was never tried. -
13th Amendment
Congress votes in favor of the 13th Amendment, which abolishes all forms of slavery. -
Women Attorneys
Congress grants woman attorneys the right to argue cases before the Surpreme Court. -
Death
After being the president of a life insurance company and writing his memoir, Jefferson Davis dies. He is buried at Metairie Cemetary, but moved to Richmond in 1893.
