The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on December 6, 1865, and it abolished slavery in the United States. It states: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

This amendment was a significant milestone in Black history as it formally ended the institution of slavery, which had been enshrined in the US since its founding. The 13th Amendment paved the way for the liberation of millions of enslaved African Americans and marked the beginning of a new era in American history.

However, it is important to note that while the 13th Amendment banned slavery, it did not fully eliminate all forms of forced labor and exploitation. The clause allowing for involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime was later exploited through various legal mechanisms such as convict leasing and the Black Codes, which disproportionately affected Black Americans and perpetuated systems of racial oppression.

Despite its limitations, the 13th Amendment remains a crucial legal and historical milestone in the fight for Black freedom and civil rights in the United States.