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The Missouri Compromise
Conflicts about slavery were temporarily resolved by the Missouri compromise. It prohibited slavery north of the parallel 36°30', allowing Missouri to be a slave state yet still part of the Union. -
Jesse James is Born
Jesse Woodson James is born to Robert and Zerelda James at the James Farm in Kearney, Missouri. -
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California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush begins approximately around 1848, and dies out around 1856. -
Lincoln Wins Presidential Election
Abraham Lincoln wins a close, four-way race for President of the United States. -
The First State Secedes
South Carolina officially secedes from the Union, becoming the first state to do so. -
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Southern States Secede
Following after South Carolina, Missippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana all seceded from the Union. -
The South Secedes
Texas secedes. Seven states in total declare to be independent of the Union. -
Lincoln Inauguration
Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the sixteenth President of the United States. -
Confederate Constitution is Signed
The Constitution of the Confederate States of America is signed in Montgomery, Alabama. -
Civil War Begins
Confederate forces attack Union soldiers at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War officially begins. -
Union Surrenders at Fort Sumter
Union forces surrender to the Confederacy after two days of battle at Fort Sumter. -
Another State Secedes
Virginia secedes and joins the Confederacy after the Battle of Fort Sumter. -
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Four More States Secede
In addition to Virginia, Arkansas and Tennessee secede, followed by North Carolina. -
Final State Secedes
North Carolina secedes from the Union, the eleventh and last state to do so. -
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War Continues, Confederacy Leads
The Confederacy and Union continue battling each other, with most of the victories in the Confederacy's favor. -
Antietam
The bloodiest day in history, a few battles lead up to the Battle of Antietam. Over 26,000 men are killed/wounded, and the battle is officially declared a draw. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation. It frees all slaves in territory captured by the Union Army, and orders the enlistment of black soldiers. From this point, the Civil War becomes a war over slavery. -
Gettysburg
From July 1 to July 4, the Union Army defeats the Confederate Army at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. One of the bloodiest battles of the war, Gettysburg is a turning point, and marks the farthest advance of the Confederate Army into northern territory. -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers the famed Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the National Cemetery at the battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. -
Change of Command
General Ulysses S. Grant takes charge of the Union forces. After a few lost battles, things begin to change for the good for the Union. -
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War Continues, Union Leads
After the change of command, the Union soon begins to effectively destroy the Confederacy. -
Thirteenth Amendment
The United States Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, proposed to abolish slavery. -
Lincoln's Second Inaugural
Abraham Lincoln is sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. -
Siege of Petersburg Ends
The Siege of Petersburg ends after a year as Ulysses S. Grant's army breaks through Confederate lines and marches towards Richmond. -
War Ends
Confederacy General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in a farmhouse in the town of Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The war ends. -
Lincoln Dies
President Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. He does not recover from the wound and dies by assassination. -
Remaining Confederates Surrender
General Joe Johnston, leading the largest Confederate Army still existing, surrenders in North Carolina. -
Slavery Abolished
The Thirteenth Amendment is ratified by the States, and slavery is abolished. -
Jesse James Dies
Jesse James is shot by Robert Ford in his home and dies.
