-
Abraham Lincoln is elected president of the United States. This creates tension between the North and the South (who were not supporters of Lincoln).
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/abraham-lincoln-elected-president -
The Civil War officially begins when confederate General Beauregard engages in battle with Union soldiers at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.
http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/fort-sumter -
-
This first battle at bull run is a significant defeat to the Union army. The Union army is forced to retreat forty miles back to Washington D.C. This battle was also observed by spectators.
ttp://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/bullrun.html -
The Battle of Antietam is considered the most bloody day in United States history. With 26,000 casualties and injuries, this battle surprisingly resulted in a draw.
http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-antietam -
President Lincoln issues his emancipation proclamation. This frees all slaves who occupied captured Union territory. This point officially marker the Civil War as a war over slavery.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/ -
Confederate army General Robert E. Lee is defeated at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This is one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War and is a turning point for the Union army.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/maps/gettysburg-animated-map/ -
The Thirteenth Amendment is approved by the United States Congress, abolishing slavery.
http://www.greatamericanhistory.net/amendment.htm -
Abraham Lincoln is shot this day by John Wilkes Booth at the Ford Theater in Washinton DC. He eventually dies from his wound on the same day. Also on this day General Robert E. Lee surrenders for the Confederates, ending the war.
http://www.fords.org/home/explore-lincoln -
Slavery is abolished when the Thirteenth Ammendment is ratified.
http://abolition.e2bn.org/slavery_113.html
