13th Amendment Abolishes Slavery

Wednesday, December 6, 1865

Engraving of the 13th Amendment. Image courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, finally abolishing slavery throughout the nation. This amendment is later followed by the 14th and 15th Amendments, which respectively extend equal citizenship rights to African Americans (but initially not women), and protects voting rights for all (male) citizens regardless of race.


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