President Lincoln issued a proclamation freeing slaves in Confederate states during the Civil War.

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, declaring all enslaved individuals in Confederate-held territory to be forever free. This executive order was a pivotal moment during the American Civil War, shifting the focus towards ending slavery rather than just preserving the Union. While the proclamation didn't immediately free all slaves, it laid the foundation for the Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation also encouraged enslaved individuals to escape to Union lines, weakening the Confederacy's labor force and boosting Union troops with African American soldiers. This moment was a significant step towards freedom and equality, marking a turning point in American history. #EmancipationProclamation #AbrahamLincoln #AmericanCivilWar #Freedom #Equality