oct 16, 1859 - Abolitionist John Brown raids an armory and arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), hoping to trigger a slave uprising. Brown’s raid was decisively ended by troops led by Col. Robert E. Lee, and Brown captured. The incident was hugely controversial and stoked fears in slave states. This domestic use of military forces was not preceded by posting a drafted presidential proclamation
Added to timeline:
Date:
oct 16, 1859
Now
~ 165 years ago