April 9, 1865

April 9, 1865, marks the day General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. This event effectively ended the American Civil War, a conflict over states' rights and slavery. The surrender led to the reunification of the United States and paved the way for the country's post-war reconstruction. It is considered a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing the conclusion of a brutal struggle and the beginning of efforts toward reconciliation and healing.