This Day in History

Battle of Gettysburg Ends

The Battle of Gettysburg, one of the most critical and bloodiest battles of the American Civil War, concluded on July 3, 1863, after three days of fierce combat. This battle marked a turning point in the war, with the defeat of General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army by Union forces under the command of Major […]

West Virginia Enters the Union

On June 20, 1863, amidst the turmoil of the Civil War, West Virginia was admitted to the Union as the 35th state, the only state to form by separating from a Confederate state (Virginia). This event was marked by years of disagreement over secession and significant differences in economic and social structures between the western […]

London’s First Underground Railway Opens

A milestone in transportation history occurred on January 10th, 1863, with the opening of the Metropolitan Railway, the first underground railway in London. It marked the beginning of the London Underground.

Abraham Lincoln Signs the Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1st, 1863, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be forever free. It was a pivotal step toward abolition.

President Lincoln Delivers the Gettysburg Address

President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19th, 1863, during the dedication ceremony of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. His poignant words are considered one of the greatest speeches in American history.