Brian Levy, age 16, of E1 Paseo, Texas, for his question .

WHEN WAS THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATTON SIGNED?

The Emancipation Proclamation was the important document that led to the end of slavery in the United States. Tt was issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War on January 1, 1863.

The Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for ail slaves in all areas of the Confederacy that were still in rebellion against the Union. The proclamation also provided for the use of blacks in the Union Army and Navy. As a result, it greatly influenced the North's victory in the war.

The Emancipation Proclamation did not actually free a single slave, because it affected only areas under Confederate control. it excluded slaves in the border states and in such areas under Union control as Tennessee and parts of Louisiana and Virginia.

But the proclamation did lead to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment which became law on December 18, 1865, ended slavery in all parts of the United States.

The proclamation also hurt the South by discouraging England and France from entering the war. It made the war a fight against slavery and most English and French citizens opposed slavery.