In Washington D.C., the House of Representatives passes the Thirteen Amendment outlawing slavery

The United States Senate had passed the proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban slavery across the country in April 8, 1864. The House of Representatives had presented more of a problem but the measure narrowly won approval on this day, amid remarkable celebratory scenes, by a vote of 119 to 58. The Thirteenth Amendment was swiftly ratified and became law the following November.  (By John Osborne)