21 May 1856: Sack of Lawrence,Pro-slavery forces attacked and looted the anti-slavery town of Lawrence, Kansas, during "Bleeding Kansas."
2
1857
6 Mar 1857: Dred Scott decision,The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.
3
1858
15 Oct 1858: Lincoln-Douglas Debates,Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held a series of seven debates on the issue of slavery in Illinois.
4
1859
16 Oct 1859: John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry,Abolitionist John Brown led a raid on a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, hoping to start a slave revolt.
5
1860
6 Nov 1860: Abraham Lincoln elected,Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States.
20 Dec 1860: South Carolina secedes,South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union following Lincoln's election.
6
1861
8 Feb 1861: Confederate States of America formed,Seven Southern states formed the Confederate States of America.
4 Mar 1861: Lincoln inaugurated,Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President of the United States.
12 Apr 1861: Attack on Fort Sumter,Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina, marking the start of the American Civil War.
21 Jul 1861: First Battle of Bull Run,The first major land battle of the Civil War resulted in a Confederate victory.
7
1862
8 Mar 1862: Monitor vs. Merrimack,The first battle between two ironclad warships took place in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
8
1863
1 Jan 1863: Emancipation Proclamation,President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in Confederate-held territory.
1 Jul 1863—3 Jul 1863: Battle of Gettysburg A major Union victory in Pennsylvania that is considered a turning point of the war.
4 Jul 1863: Siege of Vicksburg ends,Union forces captured Vicksburg, Mississippi, giving them control of the Mississippi River.
19 Nov 1863: Gettysburg Address,Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg.
9
1864
8 Nov 1864: Lincoln reelected,Abraham Lincoln was reelected as President of the United States.
15 Nov 1864—21 Dec 1864: Sherman's March to the Sea Union General William Tecumseh Sherman led his troops on a destructive march through Georgia.
1863 - 1864 (0 years)
