Few People Know Illinois Was The First State To Ratify The 13th Amendment In America
By Linze Rice|Published May 09, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
There are plenty of fun facts about Illinois history, especially when it comes to events that Illinois was first at. While some are lighthearted (did you know the brownie was invented in Chicago?), others are more uncomfortable — yet have a serious, significant place in our nation’s history. In fact, Illinois played a critical role in helping bring an end to the darkest era of United States history.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared “all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free” in his Emancipation Proclamation. However, the policy did not go far enough in fully ending slavery nationwide and only applied to specific areas.
In 1860, just five years before the 13th Amendement would end slavery, the U.S. government conducted a census that counted approximately 4 million slaves. It's estimated that there were about 4.4 million African-Americans in the U.S. at that time, and the overwhelming majority were held in captivity and considered property.
This striking photo shows a market where people forced into slavery were sold and traded as commodities rather than people. Just one year later, the 13th Amendment would be ratified, effectively ending the inhumane practices of slavery and involuntary servitude.
U.S. Sen. Lyman Trumbull of Illinois proposed the 13th Amendment, which would abolish slavery and involuntary servitude (except in cases where it was used for punishment of a crime). It passed in the Senate in 1864, but languished in the House until January 31 of 1865.
The very next day, on Feb. 1, 1865, Illinois became the first state in the country to ratify the 13th Amendment. In his duty as President of the Senate, Lincoln wrote "Approved" across the document.
The amendment's passage erupted in a huge celebration. By the end of the year, the required majority of states had adopted the amendment, and slavery became illegal nationwide.
