19 June, 2011

June 19, 1862 & 1964

The U.S. Congress passed the Law Enacting Emancipation in the Federal Territories, forever making slavery illegal in the United States and its territories.

CHAP. CXI.–An Act to secure Freedom to all Persons within the Territories of the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of the Territories of the United States now existing, or which may at any time hereafter be formed or acquired by the United States, otherwise than in punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

APPROVED, June 19, 1862.

Exactly 102 years later, to the day, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed in the Senate, overcoming an 83 day filibuster led by Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV). It will be signed by President Lyndon Johnson (D-USA) on July 2.

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