Last updated: September 9, 2025
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Delaware and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolishes "involuntary servitude except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." It was passed by Congress in January 1865 and by the states on December 6th, 1865.
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution proclaims that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the nation and the state wherein they reside. It also prohibits any state from abridging the right to life, liberty, or property of any citizen without due process of law. The 14th Amendment was adopted by Congress in 1866 and ratified by the states in 1868.
The 15th Amendment prohibits the United States or any state from denying or abridging the right of any citizen of the United States to vote, "on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude." The amendment was passed by Congress in 1869. It was ratified by the states in 1870. After its ratification, a group of African Americans pushed Thomas Garrett through the streets of Wilmington in an open carriage bearing the sign "Our Moses".
However, Delaware did not ratify the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments until 1901. At that time John Hunn Jr. was governer and he signed into law the bills passed by the General Assembly ratifying the amendments.
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution proclaims that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the nation and the state wherein they reside. It also prohibits any state from abridging the right to life, liberty, or property of any citizen without due process of law. The 14th Amendment was adopted by Congress in 1866 and ratified by the states in 1868.
The 15th Amendment prohibits the United States or any state from denying or abridging the right of any citizen of the United States to vote, "on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude." The amendment was passed by Congress in 1869. It was ratified by the states in 1870. After its ratification, a group of African Americans pushed Thomas Garrett through the streets of Wilmington in an open carriage bearing the sign "Our Moses".
However, Delaware did not ratify the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments until 1901. At that time John Hunn Jr. was governer and he signed into law the bills passed by the General Assembly ratifying the amendments.