The Amendment That Transformed the Nation: On This Day, December 18

One hundred and fifty years ago today, the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment was proclaimed by Secretary of State William Seward. Abraham Lincoln had fought to get the amendment passed by the Senate and the House, but he did not live to see this "glorious consummation" of his hope to end slavery.

Read more about Abraham Lincoln’s fight to bring about the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment.