history timeline By lexiren Apr 12, 1861 Fort Sumter Jun 20, 1861 West Virgina is Born May 20, 1862 Homestead Act becomes a law Jul 17, 1862 Congress passes the Militia Act Jan 1, 1863 The Emancipation Proclamation Jul 3, 1863 The battle of Gettysburg Nov 19, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln dedicates a portion of the Gettysburg battlefield as a national cemetery, and delivered the "Gettysburg Address." Jun 15, 1864 Nine month siege of Petersburg begins Sep 2, 1864 Atlanta is captured by Sherman's Army. Nov 8, 1864 Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president defeating Democrat George B. McClellan.
