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Fort Sumter
Confederate soldiers fire upon and capture Union Ft. Sumter, starting the Civil War -
Bull Run (1st)
Union forces try to move and take Richmond, Virginia and clash with Confederate soldiers at the small creek of Bull Run in Manassas, Virginia. Confederates win. -
The Battle of Antietam
The single most bloodiest day in American history. More Americans died on this single day than any other single day in all of history. Ended in a strategic Union victory. -
Emancipation Proclamation
A proclamation written by President Abraham Lincoln the declared all slaves freed in the rebellious southern states. -
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Defeat of Vicksburg
Ulysses S. Grant and his soldiers laid siege to the confederate city of Vicksburg, eventually causing the surrender of the confederates inside and a decisive victory for the Union. -
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Battle of Gettysburg
Seen as the most important battle of the Civil War, the confederates attempted to invade the north but were intercepted by Union forces at Gettysburg. The three day battle was the bloodiest battle in all of American history and concluded with a strategic Union victory. -
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New York City Draft Riots
Starting as protests to show anger at the drafts for the war, the protests eventually turned into a race riot where whites started attacking blacks about the streets of Manhattan. Multiple government and public buildings, churches, homes of blacks and abolitionists, and the Colored Orphan Asylum were destroyed before the military arrived to suppress the chaos. Around 120 people died. -
Formation of the 54th Mass.
One of the first African-American infantry regiments formed in the Union military. -
Gettysburg Address
A speech by Abraham Lincoln, regarded as one of the best in American history, that was dedicated to the Soldiers' National Cemetery and expressed the struggle for human rights for all against the south. -
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Sherman's March
A Union march across Georgia to the sea, utilizing "Total War" to intimidate the south. The soldiers destroyed southern railroad tracks and burned anything in their path, towns and all. It was a huge success for the Union. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was added to the constitution and abolished slavery across the whole U.S. -
Creation of Freedman’s Bureau
Lincoln signed a bill that helped African-Americans transition from slavery to freedom. -
Surrender at Appotmatox Courthouse
Realizing that fighting for any longer would be pointless, Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Grant's army, ending the Civil War. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
While attending at a play held in Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C, Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth, a confederate conspirator. -
The 14th Amendment
The 14th amendment made clear that everybody born in the United States is a U.S citizen and has the rights of such that cannot be taken by the states without lawful action. -
The 15th Amendment
Made even clearer that all U.S citizens had undeniable rights to vote, regardless of their race. -
End of Reconstruction
When the military officially pulled out of the south, thus causing the promised civil rights of blacks to crumble under white rule. -
Supreme Court Case Plessy vs Ferguson
A landmark constitutional case held by the Supreme Court. It upheld "Separate but equal" laws for public facilities, allowing for segregation.