On August 20, 1866, U.S. President Andrew Johnson issued a formal proclamation declaring the American Civil War officially over, marking the conclusion of one of the most tumultuous periods in the nation's history. Although the fighting had ceased months earlier with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox in April 1865, and the last Confederate forces surrendering in June, this declaration symbolized the legal end to the war that had divided the country. The announcement paved the way for Reconstruction, a challenging and transformative period focused on rebuilding the South and integrating formerly enslaved people into American society. Johnson's proclamation also underscored the nation’s commitment to healing and moving forward, even as deep wounds from the conflict remained.
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