The end of slavery is a pivotal moment in Black history and the history of the United States. Slavery was officially abolished in the U.S. with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution on December 6, 1865, following the end of the Civil War.

The abolition of slavery came after years of struggle, resistance, and activism by enslaved people, abolitionists, and allies. Black enslaved individuals like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth played crucial roles in the fight for freedom. The Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses, helped many enslaved individuals escape to freedom in the North or Canada.

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declared that all enslaved individuals in Confederate states were to be set free. However, it was the 13th Amendment that officially ended slavery throughout the entire country.

The end of slavery marked the beginning of a new chapter in Black history, one that was characterized by struggles for civil rights, equality, and justice. The legacy of slavery continues to impact Black communities in the U.S. today, as the country continues to grapple with the effects of systemic racism and inequality.