1871 Event Great Fire kills 200, destroys over 4miles (10 km) of Chicago buildings, and original Emancipation Proclamation 1863 Event Emancipation Proclamation signed 1863 Event Voters in West Virginia approve gradual emancipation of slaves 1863 Event Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln 1862 Event Lincoln's Emancipation is published in Northern Newspapers 1858 Event Partial emancipation of Russian serfs 1838 Event Emancipation of British slaves on Bahamas 1829 Event English Emancipation Act grants freedom of religion to Catholics 1700 Event William Penn began monthly meetings for Blacks advocating emancipation
