The End of Slavery
-
January 31, 1865
The 13th Amendment passed in Congress. Lincoln added his signature to the amendment – although this was not required. Today, it is the only ratified amendment to the Constitution with a signature from the president. Now, three-fourths of states had to ratify it. -
April 14, 1865
At the time of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on this day, the required number of states had not yet ratified the 13th Amendment. Vice President Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln as president, was very supportive of preserving the Union, but was less committed to the cause of abolition. -
December 6, 1865
After the war ended and President Johnson mandated that the Southern states ratify the 13th Amendment, it finally became law on this day, with Georgia being the 27th state to approve it (out of 36 states at the time).
The 13th Amendment Reads
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
