What was going on with African Americans doing during the civil war?

African American's played pivotal roles during the civil war. Although slavery was still legal in some states until Abraham Lincon's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, African Americans were eager to fight for their freedom. They served in the Union Army and made vital contributions to its success.

Military Service:

- United States Colored Troops (USCT): Approximately 180,000 African Americans served in the USCT, segregated units commanded by white officers.

- 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment: This all-Black regiment gained fame for its heroic fight in the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863. Led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th Massachusetts became a symbol of African Americans' bravery and determination.

Support Roles:

- Contraband: Many enslaved people who escaped to Union-controlled territories or were rescued were referred to as "contrabands." They worked for wages in a variety of support roles essential to the war effort, such as building fortifications and providing labor.

- Nurses and Medical Personnel: African American men and women served as nurses and medical personnel in the Union Army, providing critical healthcare services.

Emancipation:

- Emancipation Proclamation: Issued in 1863, this document declared all enslaved people in the Confederate states to be free. Although it did not immediately free all African Americans, it marked a turning point in the fight for emancipation.

- Juneteenth: Celebrated on June 19th, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas, marking the official end of slavery in the United States.