A Nation Divided: The United States and the Challenge of Secession Timeline Part 3 By wird_o 1858 Abraham Lincoln is nominated by Republicans to challenge Douglas for his Senate seat. (September) Oct 16, 1859 Attempt for Slave Revolt John Brown and a multiracial band of followers seized a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in order to incite a slave revolt. Dec 20, 1860 The South Carolina convention announced the state's secession.