Modern Era
January Uprising (1863-1864): Poland's Last Great Revolt
The insurrection was defeated; its leaders were executed or exiled, and Russia abolished most remaining Polish autonomy.
Era · c. 1800 – 1945
Modern Era
Industry, science and global conflict: the century and a half that built the modern world.
Modern Era
Founding of the Red Cross (1863) and First Geneva Convention
A Geneva committee founded in 1863 became the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the 1864 Geneva Convention made care for wounded soldiers a legal duty.
Modern Era
Battle of Chickamauga (1863): The Confederacy's Western Victory
Confederate victory; the Union Army of the Cumberland retreated into Chattanooga, where it was besieged until November 1863.
Modern Era
New York City Draft Riots (1863): Four Days of Violence
The riots were suppressed by police and federal troops after four days; at least 119 people died and the draft resumed in August 1863.
Modern Era
Second Battle of Fort Wagner (1863): The 54th Massachusetts
Confederate victory; the Union assault was repulsed with heavy losses, but the 54th Massachusetts' courage changed Northern opinion about Black soldiers.
Modern Era
Battle of Chancellorsville (1863): Lee's Greatest Gamble
Confederate victory; Hooker's Army of the Potomac withdrew across the Rappahannock, but Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded.
Modern Era
Siege of Vicksburg (1863): Grant Wins the Mississippi River
Union victory; Pemberton surrendered about 29,500 men on 4 July 1863, and with the fall of Port Hudson five days later the Union controlled the whole Mississippi River.
Modern Era
Gettysburg Address (1863): Lincoln's 272 Words That Endured
Lincoln's two-minute dedication speech redefined the Civil War as a struggle for equality and democratic government and became one of the most celebrated speeches in history.
Modern Era
Battle of Gettysburg (1863): Turning Point of the Civil War
Union victory; Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was repulsed with heavy losses and retreated to Virginia, ending its second invasion of the North.
Modern Era
Emancipation Proclamation (1863): Lincoln's Order to Free Slaves
Declared about 3.5 million enslaved people in Confederate-held areas free, made emancipation a Union war aim and opened the Union army to Black soldiers, paving the way for the Thirteenth Amendment.
Modern Era
Metropolitan Railway (1863): London Opens the First Underground
The world's first underground passenger railway opened in London and carried millions in its first year, beginning the London Underground.
Modern Era
First Transcontinental Railroad (1863-1869): The Golden Spike
The Central Pacific and Union Pacific lines met at Promontory Summit on 10 May 1869, creating a continuous rail link from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast.