This Day in History — Civil War

On March 23, 1867, Congress overrode President Andrew Johnson’s veto to pass the Second Reconstruction Act, strengthening federal authority in the South. The law advanced voting rights for African American men and reshaped post–Civil War governance, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s struggle to define freedom, citizenship, and equality.

On March 18, 1877, Frederick Douglass was appointed U.S. Marshal of Washington, D.C., marking a major milestone for Black leadership in government. His rise from enslavement to federal office symbolized progress during Reconstruction, even as the nation began retreating from civil rights protections for African Americans.

On March 9th, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Ulysses S. Grant as Commanding General of the U.S. Army, placing him in charge of all Union forces during the Civil War. His aggressive strategy and coordinated campaigns across multiple fronts would ultimately weaken the Confederacy and help lead the Union to victory.

In 1868, the House of Representatives impeached President Andrew Johnson after a fierce clash with Congress over Reconstruction policy. Accused of violating federal law by removing his Secretary of War, Johnson faced a historic Senate trial and survived by a single vote, establishing a lasting precedent for presidential accountability and constitutional balance.