Mississippi Ratifies 13th Amendment! Finally!

[Sallow]

Only took 148 years.

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, was ratified in 1865. Lawmakers in Mississippi, however, only got around to officially ratifying the amendment last month -- 148 years later -- thanks to the movie "Lincoln."


The state's historical oversight came to light after Mississippi resident Ranjan Batra saw the Steven Spielberg-directed film last November, the Clarion-Ledger reports.


After watching the film, which depicts the political fight to pass the 13th Amendment, Batra did some research. He learned that the amendment was ratified after three-fourths of the states backed it in December 1865. Four remaining states all eventually ratified the amendment -- except for Mississippi. Mississippi voted to ratify the amendment in 1995 but failed to make it official by notifying the U.S. Archivist.


Batra spoke to another Mississippi resident, Ken Sullivan, who contacted Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann about the oversight. Finally, on Jan. 30, Hosemann sent the Office of the Federal Register a copy of the 1995 resolution, and on Feb. 7, the Federal Register made the ratification official.
After 148 years, Mississippi finally ratifies 13th Amendment, which banned slavery - CBS News

 

[Mr. H.]

Interesting bit of trivia.

 

[Seawytch]

Better late than never! Good job Mississippi.

 

[nodoginnafight]

I find it hard to believe that this was a simple "oversight."

 

[TNHarley]

My grandfather is pissed... Now he is going to have to do his plowing

 

[Lonestar_logic]

Only took 148 years.

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, was ratified in 1865. Lawmakers in Mississippi, however, only got around to officially ratifying the amendment last month -- 148 years later -- thanks to the movie "Lincoln."


The state's historical oversight came to light after Mississippi resident Ranjan Batra saw the Steven Spielberg-directed film last November, the Clarion-Ledger reports.


After watching the film, which depicts the political fight to pass the 13th Amendment, Batra did some research. He learned that the amendment was ratified after three-fourths of the states backed it in December 1865. Four remaining states all eventually ratified the amendment -- except for Mississippi. Mississippi voted to ratify the amendment in 1995 but failed to make it official by notifying the U.S. Archivist.


Batra spoke to another Mississippi resident, Ken Sullivan, who contacted Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann about the oversight. Finally, on Jan. 30, Hosemann sent the Office of the Federal Register a copy of the 1995 resolution, and on Feb. 7, the Federal Register made the ratification official.
After 148 years, Mississippi finally ratifies 13th Amendment, which banned slavery - CBS News

BFD!

 

[Sunni Man]

So is the state of Mississippi going to give their newly freed black citizens 40 acres and a mule?? ............

 

[ArmyCowboy]

I always figured Mississippi was a little slow, but this is ridiculous.

 

[TNHarley]

So is the state of Mississippi going to give their newly freed black citizens 40 acres and a mule?? ............

Damn cant rep you for this lol

 

[Papageorgio]

Why would they waste time ratifying something that is already part of the Constitution? For symbolism? Have they not followed the 13th amendment for 148 years?

Seems silly to do it now, it means absolutely nothing.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

Why would they waste time ratifying something that is already part of the Constitution? For symbolism? Have they not followed the 13th amendment for 148 years?

Seems silly to do it now, it means absolutely nothing.

Perhaps they want to prove that they finally joined the 19th century.

 

[Papawx3]

I spent a few weeks in Jackson MS a couple of years ago. While there, I learned that the Klan is still alive and well in Mississippi.
It's no wonder it took them 148 years to ratify the 13th Amendment.

 

[nodoginnafight]

I spent a few weeks in Jackson MS a couple of years ago. While there, I learned that the Klan is still alive and well in Mississippi.
It's no wonder it took them 148 years to ban slavery.

And even more alive and stronger in Indiana.

It isn't just a "southern thing"

But I think there were plenty of folks who took pride in the fact they had not officially ratified it. They giggled about it over their Pabst Blue Ribbon and Skoal.

 

[rightwinger]

Women should get the vote any day now

 

[whitehall]

It should be noted that the flag that flew off the slave ships for a hundred years was the stars and stripes not the stars and bars. Slavery was legal in New Jersey up to ten years before the Civil War.

 

[Katzndogz]

To this very day, the Seminole indians of Florida have never surrendered to the white government and has no peace treaties with Washington.

Does it impact Florida? Like Mississippi's failure to ratify the 13th Amenment affected Mississippi.