US Events

US Events

Period: Feb 13, 1861 to Feb 13, 1865

Eleven states secede from the Union

Apr 17, 1861

VA, NC, TN, AR, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL

President Lincoln announces plan of emancipation

Sep 22, 1862

The Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people only in areas that were fighting the Union.

Union wins victory at Gettysburg

Jul 3, 1863

At Gettysburg, there were more than 28,000 casualties in the Confederacy and over 23,000 in the Union troops. Lee lost nearly one-third of his men.

Vicksburg surrenders to Union forces

Jul 4, 1863

Vicksburg surrendered to General Grant. Grant took Vicksburg by siege.

Lee surrenders at Appomattox

Apr 9, 1865

Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox. When his men started to celebrate, Grant told them, "The war is over. The rebels are our countrymen again."