| − | '''Thirteenth Amendment''' to the [[U.S. Constitution]], which formally abolished slavery in the [[United States]], passed the Senate on April 8, 1864, and the House on January 31, 1865. On February 1, 1865, President [[Abraham Lincoln]] approved the Joint Resolution of Congress submitting the proposed amendment to the state legislatures. The necessary number of states ratified it by December 6, 1865. | + | '''Thirteenth Amendment''' to the [[U.S. Constitution]], which formally abolished slavery in the [[United States]], passed the [[Senate]] on April 8, 1864, and the [[House of Representatives|House]] on January 31, 1865. On February 1, 1865, President [[Abraham Lincoln]] approved the Joint Resolution of Congress submitting the proposed amendment to the state legislatures. The necessary number of states ratified it by December 6, 1865. |