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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

December 31, 1862

President Abraham Lincoln Signs an Act
Admitting West Virginia Into the Union

On this day in 1862, West Virginia was admitted into the Union with certain conditions which would break the state of Virginia in two.

One prerequisite was that a gradual abolition of slavery be inserted into its Constitution. The revised constitution meeting that demand was adopted March 26, 1863.

On April 20, 1863, Lincoln issued a proclamation admitting the state at the end of sixty days (June 20, 1863).