February 1, 1865

National Archives social media intern Anna Fitzpatrick.

Joint Resolution Proposing the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, 01/31/1865–01/31/1865; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789–2008; General Records of the United States Government, 1778–2006, Record Group 11; National Archives (National Archives Identifier: 1408764)

The news of the Emancipation Proclamation was greeted with joy, even though it did not free all the slaves. Because of the limitations of the proclamation, and because it depended on a Union military victory, President Lincoln recognized that the Emancipation Proclamation would have to be followed by a constitutional amendment in order to abolish slavery.

After the Senate passed a bill for an amendment in April 1864, but the House of Representatives did not, Lincoln suggested that the bill be taken up by the Republican Party in its 1864 platform for the upcoming Presidential elections.

His efforts met with success when the House passed the bill in January 1865.  On February 1, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln approved the Joint Resolution of Congress submitting the proposed amendment to the state legislatures. The necessary number of states ratified it by December 6, 1865.

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution formally abolished slavery in the United States. It provides that ”Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
The struggle for complete freedom was far from finished even with the 13th Amendment. Two more amendments were added to the Constitution. Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment increased the liberties and rights granted by the Bill of Rights to former slaves. Two years later the 15th Amendment was ratified, giving African American men the right to vote. The Emancipation Proclamation helped make these rights and liberties available for newly freed people, as it was one of the first steps towards freedom for former slaves.

The 13th Amendment and its history are featured in the online exhibit “Our Documents.”
The story of the creation of the 13th Amendment is featured in “The Meaning and Making of Emancipation,” a free eBook created by the National Archives. You can read it on your iPad, iPhone, Nook, or other electronic device.

Pieces of History

January 3, 2013 by hilary parkinson, posted in – Civil War, Presidents

A blog of the U.S. National Archives

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Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, the 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

The 13th amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States, passed the Senate on April 8, 1864, and the House on January 31, 1865. On February 1, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln approved the Joint Resolution of Congress submitting the proposed amendment to the state legislatures. The necessary number of states ratified it by December 6, 1865. The 13th amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

In 1863 President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring “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.” Nonetheless, the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the nation. Lincoln recognized that the Emancipation Proclamation would have to be followed by a constitutional amendment in order to guarantee the abolishment of slavery.

The 13th amendment was passed at the end of the Civil War before the Southern states had been restored to the Union and should have easily passed the Congress. Although the Senate passed it in April 1864, the House did not. At that point, Lincoln took an active role to ensure passage through congress. He insisted that passage of the 13th amendment be added to the Republican Party platform for the upcoming Presidential elections. His efforts met with success when the House passed the bill in January 1865 with a vote of 119–56.
With the adoption of the 13th amendment, the United States found a final constitutional solution to the issue of slavery. The 13th amendment, along with the 14th and 15th, is one of the trio of Civil War amendments that greatly expanded the civil rights of Americans.

ourdocuments.gov

From Tue, Jan 30, 2:49 PM PST To Wed, Jan 31, 4:00 PM PST

Rainfall of one to five inches over the past few days has increased soil moisture to high levels across western Washington. Heavy rainfall of up to 1 to 3 inches is expected through Wednesday, especially in the higher elevations.

This amount of rain will put extra pressure on soil instability, leading to an increased threat of landslides.

Two landslides have already been reported in various locations in western Washington including the Leschi neighborhood in Seattle and near Union. More landslides are possible.

For more information about current conditions, visit http://www.weather.gov/seattle, select Hydrology, and then scroll down for the links to the landslide information pages.

Special Weather – Statement … NWS

For more information on landslides, visit the website for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources landslide geologic hazards at: http://bit.ly/2mtA3wn

Rainfall of one to five inches over the past three days has increased soil moisture to high levels across western Washington.

Heavy rainfall of one to three inches is expected over the next several days.

This amount of rain will put extra pressure on soil instability, leading to an increased threat of landslides.

Two landslides have already been reported in various locations in western Washington including the Leschi neighborhood in Seattle and near Union. More landslides are possible.

For more information about current conditions, visit http://www.weather.gov/seattle, select Hydrology, and then scroll down for the links to the landslide information pages.

For more information on landslides, visit the website for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources landslide geologic hazards at: http://bit.ly/2mtA3wn

ESFSEW

Hydrologic – Outlook

From Sun, Jan 28, 7:49 PM PST To Mon, Jan 29, 10:00 AM PST

Heavy rain fell across much of Western Washington Saturday night into early Sunday morning, which, when combined with snowmelt, pushed several area rivers above flood stage. Additional rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible through midweek before a cold front finally pushes atmospheric river moisture east of the region late Wednesday into Thursday. With rivers running high, cannot rule out the potential for additional river flooding with additional rounds of rainfall.

This outlook will be updated by 8 PM Monday.

Please monitor the latest river forecasts from the National Weather Service for additional information.

• NWS

Is It Really “FDA Approved”? Maybe you’ve seen these words on a company’s website or in a commercial promoting a product or treatment. Here are some facts about products that are, and aren’t, FDA approved.

Fact #1: Generic medicines work the same as brand-name medicines.

FDA-approved generic medicines provide the same clinical benefit and risks as their brand-name counterparts. A generic medicine is required to be the same as a brand-name medicine in dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, quality, and administration.

Fact #2: Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other dietary supplements are NOT FDA-approved to treat or prevent disease.

If a supplement promises a cure or quick fix for a health problem, it may be too good to be true.

Fact #3: The FDA doesn’t approve compounded drugs.

Compounding is often regarded as a process in which a pharmacist or a physician combines, mixes, or alters ingredients to create medications that meet the needs of individual patients. FDA has observed that some compounders have made false and misleading statements.

Fact #4: The FDA hasn’t approved an e-cigarette as an aid to quit smoking.

While certain e-cigarettes may help adults who smoke to transition completely away from, or significantly reduce their use of more harmful cigarettes, no e-cigarette product has been approved by the FDA as a method to help quit smoking.

Fact #5: The FDA doesn’t approve facilities.

Like medical product companies, or health care providers, including physician offices, or laboratories.

Fact #6: There’s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen.

Even those labeled “water resistant,” eventually wash off. Water resistance claims, for 40 or 80 minutes, tell you how much time you can expect to get protection while moving in and out of the water. And remember, sunscreen should not be put on infants under six months old, just keep them out of the sun.

Fact #7: The FDA does not approve cosmetics.

The ingredients (except certain colors) and labeling of cosmetics, such as many perfumes, makeup, moisturizers, shampoos, hair dyes, face and body cleansers, and shaving preparations do not require FDA approval. However, under the law, cosmetics must not be “adulterated” or “misbranded.”

Fact #8: FDA-approved vaccines have undergone a rigorous evaluation by the FDA to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Making sure all vaccines meet standards for safety and effectiveness is one of FDA’s highest priorities. The FDA’s assessment of vaccines encompasses their entire “lifecycle” of development and use. This includes studies conducted before testing in people occurs, studies conducted during development and continuous assessment after a vaccine is approved and made available in the U.S.

Bonus fact: There is no link between vaccines and autism.

The scientific evidence does not support a link between vaccines and autism. The initial concerns that vaccines may cause autism were related to the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines. Dozens of reputable, peer- reviewed, scientific studies from the U.S. and other countries around the world have supported the safety of thimerosal-containing vaccines

Fact #9: Using CBD raises safety concerns, and some CBD products are being sold with unproven claims saying they can treat or prevent diseases or conditions.

Studies have shown the potential for CBD to harm the liver, male reproductive system, and interact with medications.

The FDA has approved only one CBD product, a prescription drug product to treat children’s seizures associated with certain syndromes and disease.

CBD products with unproven claims may delay consumers from getting important medical care, such as proper diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. Talk to a health care professional before using any CBD products.

Fact #10: The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health.

The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary food and drugs, biological and tobacco products, medical devices, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. Advancing the public health means helping to speed medical innovations and informing the public with accurate, science-based information.

The FDA is here to provide the facts and you can help by sharing this information with your community and loved ones. Visit FDA.gov/RumorControl for more information.