Abraham Lincoln signs a bill into law freeing the slaves in the District of Columbia, despite bitter opposition.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Abraham Lincoln signs a bill into law freeing the slaves in the District of Columbia, despite bitter opposition.
Abraham Lincoln finally decides upon a course of action regarding Great Britain’s demands to release the Confederate envoys seized aboard the British steamer Trent.
The second session of the first Republican-dominated Congress opened with many intent on destroying slavery as a means to win the war.
The U.S. House of Representatives finally approves a compromise measure, but for many it seems too little too late.
President-elect Abraham Lincoln disregards rumors of assassination and continues to reject any compromise proposals that might expand slavery.
April 15, 1865 – Abraham Lincoln’s death meant that a southern Democrat would become the next U.S. president, much to the dismay of northerners hoping