1865 marked a pivotal year across various domains, witnessing the culmination of major conflicts, significant political shifts, and continued advancements in science and culture. This article details the most important events of that year, with a particular focus on the United States.
Political Events
January 31: The United States Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery. This amendment was later ratified by the states on December 6. This was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
March 3: Congress establishes the Freedmen's Bureau to assist formerly enslaved people. This agency played a significant role in reconstruction efforts, providing education, healthcare, and legal assistance.
April 9: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the American Civil War. This marked the beginning of the Reconstruction Era.
April 14:United States President Abraham Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.
April 15: Abraham Lincoln dies, and Vice President Andrew Johnson becomes the 17th President of the United States. His presidency would be marked by significant conflict with Congress over Reconstruction policies.
April 26: John Wilkes Booth is killed in a barn in Virginia, ending the manhunt for Lincoln's assassin.
May 4: Russia sells its North American colony, Alaska, to the United States. The treaty was signed at this time, though the actual transfer wouldn't happen until 1867.
December 18: The Thirteenth Amendment is officially ratified, legally abolishing slavery throughout the United States.
Scientific Events
August 28: The Forging Hammer Accident, one of the first documented industrial accidents in the United States, occurs at the Nashua Iron and Steel Company in Nashua, New Hampshire, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Ongoing Development of the Periodic Table: While not a single event, the understanding and organization of elements continued to evolve, laying the groundwork for Dmitri Mendeleev's formal articulation of the periodic table in 1869. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/periodic%20table
Cultural Events
November 18: Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" is published. This short story helped to establish Twain as a major American author and contributed to the development of American humor.
Technological Events
Advancements in Railroad Construction: Post-Civil War, significant efforts were put into expanding the railroad network across the United States, facilitating trade, transportation, and westward expansion.
Summary
1865 stands as a year of dramatic change and significant events, especially for the United States. The end of the Civil War, the abolition of slavery, and the assassination of President Lincoln all contributed to a period of profound transformation and uncertainty. Meanwhile, advancements in science, technology, and culture continued, setting the stage for further progress in the years to come.