The Civil War was a significant event in Black history, as it ultimately led to the abolition of slavery in the United States. The war began in 1861 and lasted until 1865, with the Union forces led by President Abraham Lincoln fighting against the Confederate states who were seeking to secede from the Union.

For Black Americans, the Civil War provided an opportunity to fight for their freedom and to prove their loyalty to the Union cause. Approximately 180,000 Black soldiers served in the Union Army and Navy during the war, playing a crucial role in helping to secure victory for the Union.

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863, declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. This was a turning point in the war and in the fight against slavery.

After the Civil War, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed in 1865, formally abolishing slavery in the United States. While the end of slavery was a significant milestone, it marked the beginning of a long struggle for civil rights and equality for Black Americans that continues to this day.