Video: 'Colonel Robert Gould Shaw: 54th Massachusetts Regiment'

(Saturday, July 18, 1863, 7:45-10:00 p.m. local time; during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner of the American Civil War) — The first formal African American military unit, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, unsuccessfully assaulted Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina, today but their valiant fighting still proves the worth of African American soldiers during the war. Continue reading First formal African-American military unit defeated at Fort Wagner 150 years ago this hour (1863) →

Video: 'History Channel Gettysburg Documentary Part 6' (July 4, 1863, at 9:05)

(Saturday, July 4, 1863, evening local time; during the Battle of Gettysburg, part of the Gettysburg Campaign of the American Civil War) — One day after the Battle of Gettysburg ended, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee began to withdraw his forces from Gettysburg to Virginia after Union Gen. George Meade decided not to attack Lee’s troops at Seminary Ridge.

Video: 'American Experience: The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry' (May 28, 1863, at 32:55)

(Thursday, May 28, 1863; during the American Civil War) — The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, made up of freed blacks, left Boston today to fight for the Union in the Civil War.

Video: 'Two Turning Points The Battles of Vicksburg Gettysburg'

(Monday, May 18, 1863; part of the Vicksburg Campaign in the American Civil War) — Union General Ulysses S. Grant today surrounded Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. The forces under Confederate Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton would hold out until July 4, 1863.

(Thursday, May 14, 1863; part of the Vicksburg Campaign in the American Civil War) — Union General Ulysses S. Grant defeated Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston today in the Battle of Jackson, Mississippi, opening the way for the Siege of Vicksburg.

Video: 'Stonewall Jackson'

(Sunday, May 10, 1863, 3:15 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — Confederate Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, 39, died today in Fredericksburg, Virginia, of pneumonia, a complication resulting from being hit by friendly fire eight days earlier during the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia.

Video: 'WVat150 1863 Statehood'

(Monday, April 20, 1863; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation today admitting West Virginia to the Union, effective in 60 days (June 20, 1863).

(Thursday, April 2, 1863; during the American Civil War) — Food shortages incited thousands of people, mostly women, to riot today in Richmond, Virginia, and demand that the Confederate government release emergency supplies. Citizens broke into shops and began seizing clothing, shoes, food and even jewelry before the Militia arrived to restore order.

(Saturday, January 31, 1863; during the American Civil War) — The First South Carolina Volunteers, an all-black Union regiment composed of escaped slaves from South Carolina and Florida, was mustered into federal service today at Beaufort, South Carolina.