Video: 'The Act That Bought Slaves Freedom in D.C.'

(Wednesday, April 16, 1862; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln today signed into law the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act ending slavery in the District of Columbia; Congress also provided compensation to former slave owners. Continue reading U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs bill ending slavery in District of Columbia 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1862) →

Video: 'Civil War Stories - The Great Locomotive Chase'

(Saturday, April 12, 1862, 6:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. local time; during the Great Locomotive Chase, part of the Western Theater of the American Civil War) — Volunteers from the Union Army, led by civilian scout James J. Andrews, commandeered a train, The General, today in Big Shanty, Georgia (now Kennesaw) and took it northward toward Chattanooga, Tennessee, doing as much damage as possible to the vital Western and Atlantic Railroad (W&A) line from Atlanta to Chattanooga as they went. Continue reading Great Locomotive Chase begins just north of Atlanta 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 12 1862) →

Video: 'Shiloh: Animated Battle Map'

(Monday, April 7, 1862, 5:00 p.m. local time) — The Battle of Shiloh, an early battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought in southwestern Tennessee, ended in Union victory today when Confederate forces were forced to retreat, ending their hopes of blocking the Union advance into northern Mississippi. Continue reading Union Army wins two-day Battle of Shiloh in southwestern Tennessee 160 years ago #OnThisDay (Apr 7 1862) →

Video: 'The USS Monitor' (March 9, 1862 at 3:26)

(Sunday, March 9, 1862, soon after 8:00 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Hampton Roads, part of the American Civil War) — In one of the most famous naval battles in American history, two ironclads, the Union’s Monitor and the Confederate’s Virginia fought to a draw today off Hampton Roads, Virginia. Continue reading Ironclads Monitor and Virginia clash in Battle of Hampton Roads 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1862) →

Video: '1862-06 Battle Fort Donelson Feb 12-16 1862 - Corrected'

(Sunday, February 16, 1862; during the Battle of Fort Donelson, part of the American Civil War) — The Battle of Fort Donelson in the Western Theater of the American Civil War ended today when Union forces captured the Confederate fort near the Tennessee–Kentucky border and opened the Cumberland River, an important avenue for the invasion of the South. Continue reading General Grant captures Fort Donelson, Tennessee, earning moniker ‘Unconditional Surrender Grant’ 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 16 1862) →

Video: 'American Civil War: Battle of Fort Henry - "Grant Invades Tennessee"'

(Thursday, February 6, 1862, shortly after 12:34-1:45 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Fort Henry, part of the American Civil War) — Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant gave the United States its first important victory of the American Civil War today by capturing Fort Henry in Donelson, Stewart County, Tennessee. Continue reading Grant takes Fort Henry, Tennessee in first significant Union victory of American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1862) →

Video: 'The USS Monitor'

(Thursday, January 30, 1862; during the American Civil War) — The USS Monitor, an ironclad warship built for the Union Navy during the American Civil War, was launched today from where it was built, the Continental Iron Works in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, New York, the first such ship commissioned by the Navy. Continue reading First U.S. ironclad warship, USS Monitor, launched during American Civil War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1862) →