Secretary of State William Seward certifies the ratification of the 13th Amendment, formally ending slavery in the United States.
At a Glance
- Date
- 18 December 1865
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Key people
- William Seward
- Category
- Emancipation & Reconstruction
- Source
- Secretary of State certification, December 18, 1865 · National Archives
What It Meant Then
It completed the constitutional abolition of an institution that had existed for 246 years.
What It Means Now
The certification date marks the legal end of American slavery.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Slavery Is Officially Declared Abolished.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/slavery-is-officially-declared-abolished/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Slavery Is Officially Declared Abolished. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/slavery-is-officially-declared-abolished/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Slavery Is Officially Declared Abolished.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/slavery-is-officially-declared-abolished/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.