What Happened on April 9, 1865

America’s Civil War Comes Home To Roost

General Grant shakes the hand of his rival General Lee in Wilmer McLean’s home. Painting by Thomas Nast

Historical Events

The South Surrenders

Confederate General Robert E. Lee and 26,765 troops surrender at Appomattox Court House to US Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant ending the Civil War in North Virginia

Events in 1865

Famous Birthdays

Charles Proteus Steinmetz, German-American electrical engineer (development of alternating current), born in Breslau, Province of Silesia, Prussia (d. 1923)