Year

1868

3 sourced events from this year.

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1868

Civil Rights 19th Century North Americahigh

U.S. 14th Amendment Ratified, Granting Citizenship

Following the American Civil War, the Reconstruction era sought to secure rights for the newly freed population amid Southern Black Codes and resistance. Congress passed the 14th Amendment in June 1866 to define citizenship, guarantee due process and equal protection, and limit former Confederates' political participation. Ratification required approval by three-fourths of the states. After contentious debates and some rejections, enough states—including Louisiana and South Carolina on July 9, 1868—provided the necessary votes. Secretary of State William Seward certified the amendment's adoption shortly thereafter, making it part of the Constitution.

Why it matters: The amendment overturned the Dred Scott decision by establishing birthright citizenship and equal protection under the law, forming the constitutional foundation for later civil rights advancements, including desegregation and voting rights cases. It remains central to American jurisprudence on individual liberties and federal authority over states.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1868

Law 19th Century North Americahigh

14th Amendment Enters into Force in US

Following the American Civil War, Congress proposed the 14th Amendment in 1866 to address the legal status of formerly enslaved people and to protect civil rights against state infringement. Ratified by the required number of states amid Reconstruction-era tensions, the amendment was officially certified on July 28, 1868, by Secretary of State William Seward. It granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, guaranteed due process and equal protection under the law, and barred former Confederates from certain offices unless Congress granted amnesty. The measure fundamentally altered the balance between federal and state power regarding individual rights.

Why it matters: The 14th Amendment provided the constitutional basis for landmark civil rights legislation and Supreme Court decisions that dismantled segregation and expanded protections for minorities and other groups. It remains a cornerstone of American jurisprudence on equality and due process, influencing countless legal challenges over subsequent decades.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1868

Science 19th Century Europehigh

Astronomer Discovers Helium During Solar Eclipse

In the mid-19th century, astronomers sought new ways to study the Sun's atmosphere beyond the brief moments of total solar eclipses. French scientist Pierre Janssen traveled to Guntur in British India to observe the eclipse of August 18, 1868. Using a spectroscope, he examined the bright lines in the solar prominences and chromosphere, confirming their gaseous nature. Among the spectral lines was a prominent yellow one at approximately 587.49 nanometers, distinct from known elements like sodium. Janssen quickly realized this indicated a previously unknown element. Independently, English astronomer Joseph Norman Lockyer made similar observations shortly afterward, leading to the naming of helium after the Greek word for the Sun.

Why it matters: The discovery provided the first evidence of an element not yet found on Earth and advanced solar spectroscopy techniques still used today. Helium later proved essential in applications from balloons and cryogenics to modern medical imaging and space exploration. It exemplified how eclipse observations drove fundamental advances in chemistry and astrophysics.

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