Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Amendment XIII (the Thirteenth Amendment) of the United States Constitution states:
Table of contents
2 Section 2.
3 Interpretation and history
Section 1.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The Amendment was passed by Congress January 31, 1865, and ratified December 6, 1865.
Interpretation and history
This amendment was responsible for the abolition of slavery.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/constitution/amendments_11-27.html#13