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Abe Lincoln is elected president
Abraham Lincoln got was elected as the sixteenth president of the United States on November 6, 1860. He was not the favorite to win and it suurprised a lot of people that he did. He was the first Republican to become president. This day in important because the fact that he wasn't the favorite sort of foreshadows the fact that he might have problems in his presidency. http://www.historyplace.com/civilwar/ -
The Confederate States are formed
On Feburary 4, 1861, the Confederate States of America was officially formed. Representatives from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana all met to formally declare their independance from the northern states. They named themselves the Confederate States of America. This is important because their independace was the beginning of the war. They seperated themselves from the rest of the world. It was almost a challenge. http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil -
The Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter started on April 12 , 1861 and lasted for thirty six hours, eventually ending on April 13, 1861. Fort Sumter was a Union fort, but at the end of the battle, the Union surrendored it over to the Confederates. This is important because this was the site of the first shots fired in the Civil War. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/fort-sumter.html -
The First Battle of Bull Run
Though technically Fort Sumter was the first shots fired in the Civil War, the first technical battle was the First Battle of Bull Horn on July 21, 1861. The Confederates eventually forced the Union to surrendor, but both sides were haggard by the time the battle was through. This is important because it's the first real battle in the war. http://www.historyplace.com/civilwar/ -
Jefferson Davis Elected President
On November 6, 1861 Jefferson Davis was officially elected president of the Confederate States of America. He was the only candidate running. Since the Confederate States had wanted him to be president instead of Lincoln, this was the obvious choice. This is an important event because Davis was the "symbol" almsot of the Confederate States. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/civil/jb_civil_davis_1.html -
The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh took place on April 6, 1862. The battle took place over two days, April 6 and April 7. The Confederates attacked the Union. After some sucess from the Confederates, they eventually retreeted and the Union won. Both sides lost a lot of people with about 23,000 losses overall. This is an important battle because of how much violence there was in this battle. http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-shiloh -
The Battle of Antietam
Considered the bloodiest day in U.S. history, the battle of Antietam occured on September 27, 1862. This was the first battle of the war to be fought in the north. After many deaths, the Union finally won this battle. This battle is important for many reasons; at 27,000 deaths, it was the bloodiest battle of the war. Also, it was the first battle to be fought in the north http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-antietam -
President Lincoln Issues the Final Emancipation Proclimation
On Januaray 1, 1863, Abe Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclimation. This freed all of the slaves in the south. This makred the turning point in the war; suddenly it wasn't just about getting the states back together, it was also about freeing all lsaves. This is important because the slaves were free now, and that's an important part of history. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/ -
The Battle of Vicksburg
With a battle that lasted from May 18-July 4, 1863, this is one of the biggest wins for the Union. For 47 days, the Union attempted to take the Mississippi River from the Confederacy. After a long, hard fought battle, the Union finally won the river and the Confederates retreated. This is an important battle because the Mississippi was an important river and taking it divided the Confederacy. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/vicksburg.html -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is maybe one of of the most famous battles of the Civil War. Taking place on July 1, 1863, this battle took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Confederacy marched into Gettysburg and were met by the Union. After about three days of fighting, the Confederacy eventually had to retreat. This is important because, being a famous battle, this was a big win for the Union. http://americancivilwar.com/getty.html -
Gettysburg Adress
On November 9, 1863, Lincoln gave a very famous speech that started with "Four score and seven years ago." He named the battlefield of Gettysburg a national cemetary in his two minute speech. This is important because people everywhere know of the speech still today. http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm -
The Battle of Petersburg
The battle of Petersburg lasted over the span of three days, June 15-18, 1864. The confederates surrendored fairly quickly and the Union won. However, it was night by the time they had won and they decided to wait to claim the fort. By doing this, they missed their chance and it was 9 months before they fully took Petersburg. This is important because Petersburg was a big transpartation place in the South. http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-petersburg -
Union Troops Take Atlanta
September 2, 1864 was a big win for the Union. The Union took Atlanta which cut off the final railroad supply. With Atlanta taken, the Confederates were losing the war quickly. This is important because it was the final railroad supply for the south and they were cut off quickly. http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-atlanta -
Abe Lincoln is Re-elected
When Abe Lincoln was re-elected as predident of the North on November 8, 1864, the south was not happy. The north wasn't entirely happy either, however, as the war was had been going on for four years and didn't seem to be stopping any time soon. This is important because Abe Lincoln was one of the staples of the war and people remember his name. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lincoln-reelected -
The 13 Amendment is Passed
On January 21, 1865, the thirteenth amendment was added to the US constitution. The 13 Amendment abolishes slavery. This is important for obvious reasons; this was the day that the constitution formaly stated that slavery is illegal. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/13th-amendment-ratified -
Lee Surrendors; War Ends
One April 9, 1865 General Robert E. Lee surrendored. The Union officially won the war. With the Union having more troops and more resources, not surrendoring would have meant certain death for the Confederacy. This is important because it was the day the war pretty much ended. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/appomattox-courthouse/appomattox-court-house-history/surrender.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/ -
Lincoln is Shot
At Ford's Theatre at 10:13 p.m., President Abe Lincoln is shot in the back of the head by John Wilkes Booth. The next morning the president is dead. A few days later, John Booth is shot and killed. This is important because our president was assassinated. http://www.history.com/topics/abraham-lincoln-assassination
