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    History in 1st Jan

  • Emancipation Proclamation

    The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect as over 3 million African-American slaves are freed by presidential proclamation. The order, issued by President Abraham Lincoln, stated that all states in rebellion against the United States would face emancipation if they did not rejoin the Union by January 1.

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  • Ellis Island opens

    Ellis Island begins processing immigrants as its inspection station opens. The Ellis Island Immigration Station became the nation's busiest immigration depot for over six decades.

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