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South Carolina votes to secede from the Union
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the federal union on December 20, 1860. After Lincoln was elected in 1860, many cries for disunion were heard along the Southern slave holding states. This secession triggered the American Civil War in Charleston Harbor. -
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Lincoln's first inaugural address took place on Monday March 4, 1861. This was part of him taking an oath to office for his first term. An example of something Lincoln pledged to was "hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belong to the government." -
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter
Confederate troops marched into Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Over 3,300 shells were fired at the fort during the 34 hour bombardment. Less than 2 days later the force surrendered. No one was killed however this battle started the Civil War. -
Lincoln suspends habeas corpus
On April 27, 1861 Lincoln suspends habeas corpus to give military authorities the necessary power to silence dissenters and rebels. -
Richmond becomes capital of the Confederacy
After Virginia seceded, The South's second largest city, Richmond, became the capital of the Confederacy. It was moved to solidify the state of Virginia's new Confederate identity. Also to sanctify the rebellion by associating it with the American Revolution. -
First Battle of the Bull Run
The First Battle of the Bull Run marks the first major land battle of the Civil War. On this day, Union and Confederate armies clashed near Manassas Junction, Virginia. -
Jefferson Davis elected President of the Confederacy
On November 6, 1861 Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederacy. This had already been decided earlier in the year, however the election confirmed it was true. He ran without opposition. -
The Merrimack and the Moniter fight of the Virginia coast
The Battle of Merrimack and the Moniter is known in history as the first duel between ironclad warships and the beginning of a new era of naval warfare. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh took place on April 6, 1862 and ended the next day. It was one of the major early engagements of the American Civil War. This battle started when the Confederate Army launched a surprise attack on Union states. -
Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
Robert E. Lee was named the commander of the most successful army in the South during the Civil War. Ultimately, he commanded all confederate armies. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the deadliest one day battle in American military history. This battle showed that the Union could stand against the Confederate army. It also gave Abraham Lincoln the confidence to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg had the greatest number of engagement in the Civil War. It had the first opposed river crossing in American military history. Also, the Civil Wars first instant of urban combat. -
Emancipation Proclamation is announced
Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. He said "that all persons held as slaves are and henceforward shall be free." This was a military measure and came a few days after the Unions victory in the Battle of Antietam. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville is considered Robert E. Lee's greatest victory. It was the last battle for Thomas J "Stonewall" Jackson who was fatally injured by friendly fire. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Robert E. Lee launched his second invasion in the northern United States. This battle marked the turning point of the Civil War. There were more than 50,000 causalities which made this 3 day battle the bloodiest single battle. -
Confederates surrender at Vicksburg
On July 3, 1863 the Confederates surrendered at Vicksburg. Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton surrendered the city of Vicksburg and the Confederate garrison defending it to Major General Ulysses S. Grant. -
New York City draft Riots
The New York draft riots occured in July 1863 when working-class New Yorkers were angered by a new federal draft law. This sparked a 5 day riot which was the most violent riot in the Civil War. -
Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivered one of his most famous speeches on November 19, 1863. It was given at the dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery. -
Atlanta is captured
Sherman captured Atlanta on September 1, 1864. The Union victory in the largest battle of the Atlanta campaign led to the capture. Sherman knew he could not remain there for long. -
Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election
Near the end of the Civil War, Lincoln easily defeated the Democratic nominee McClellan by a wide range of 212-21. He had 55% of the popular vote. -
Sherman begins his March to the Sea
On November 15, 1864, Sherman march to the sea began. His expedition went across Georgia by torching the industrial section of Atlanta and pulling away from his supply lines. -
Congress passes the 13th Amendment
The 13th amendment was passed on January 31 and ratified on December 6. This amendment abolished slavery. -
Freedmen's bureau is created
On March 3, 1865 Congress passed "An Act to establish a Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen and Refugees" to provide to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to displaced Southerners, including newly freed African Americans. This helped formally enslaved people transition from slavery to freedom. -
Lincoln's second inaugural address
Lincoln gave his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865. Lincoln urged people to "Bind up the Nation's wounds" which were caused by the Civil War. -
Richmond falls to the Union Army
The rebel of the Richmond falls to the Union, which showed that the Confederacy was at its final days. For 10 months, the general had tried to unsuccessfully infiltrate the city. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
At the Appomattox on April 9, 1865 Robert E. Lee surrenders his 28,000 Confederate troops to General Ulysses S. Grant. This action ended the American Civil War. -
President Lincoln Assassinated
On April 15, 1865, famous actor John Wilkes Booth kills President Lincoln at Fordes Theater in Washington D.C. John Booth got away with only a broken foot. -
John Wilkes Booth is killed
John Wilkes booth is killed when Union soldiers tracked him down to a Virginia farm 12 days after the assassination.