Prominent U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas, a Democrat who supports the Lincoln administration’s war effort, dies at 48.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Prominent U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas, a Democrat who supports the Lincoln administration’s war effort, dies at 48.
The fall of Fort Sumter and Abraham Lincoln’s militia proclamation spark mass mobilizations in both North and South.
President Lincoln issues a proclamation calling on 75,000 volunteers to join their state militias to help force the Confederate states back into the Union.
James Buchanan wraps up his term as president and reflects upon his handling of the secession crisis.
President-elect Abraham Lincoln visits the U.S. Capitol and holds discussions with many top politicians regarding the secession crisis.
President James Buchanan signs a bill into law making “Bleeding Kansas” the 34th state of the Union.