December 6 in American History

December 6, 1865 — the 13th Amendment abolishes slavery

With Georgia's ratification, the 13th Amendment reached the three-quarters of states needed and became part of the Constitution: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude … shall exist within the United States." What the Emancipation Proclamation began as a wartime measure, the Constitution now made permanent and total.

Common Questions

What happened on December 6 in American history?

In 1865: the 13th Amendment abolishes slavery. With Georgia's ratification, the 13th Amendment reached the three-quarters of states needed and became part of the Constitution: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude … shall exist within the United States." What the Emancipation Proclamation began as a wartime measure, the Constitution now made permanent and total.

Why is December 6 significant?

With Georgia's ratification, the 13th Amendment reached the three-quarters of states needed and became part of the Constitution: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude … shall exist within the United States." What the Emancipation Proclamation began as a wartime measure, the Constitution now made permanent and total.

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