The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution formally abolished slavery in the United States. It was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865. The next day, President Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) and the members of Congress who voted for its passage signed this souvenir copy, one of at least fourteen such copies. The amend-ment was ratified by the states on December 6, 1865, eight months after the end of the Civil War. Gift of William G. Mennen, Jr., Class of 1936. Abraham Lincoln Collection, Manuscripts Division.

FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION: See the finding aid for this item.