Editing 1861

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==Events==

*January 3 - On the question of secession, Delaware votes to remain in the Union.
*January 10 to February 1 - The states of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and lastly, Texas all secede from the Union.
*January 21 - The Ordinance of Secession is ratified. Also on that date, [[Jefferson Davis]] resigns from the U.S. Senate.
*February 8 - The [[Confederate States of America]] are founded, with the adoption of the Provisional Constitution of the Confederate States. The next day, Jefferson Davis and [[Alexander Stephens]] are elected as the provisional President and Vice President by the Weed Convention.
*February 18 - [[Jefferson Davis]] is inaugurated as the Provisional president of the Confederate States of America. A month later, on the 11th, the Confederate Constitution is adopted.
*March 4 - [[James Buchanan]]'s sole term as President of the United States comes to an end, allowing Abraham Lincoln to take office.
*April 12 - The [[American Civil War]] begins at the Battle of Fort Sumter in North Carolina. Two days later, the Fort surrenders to Confederate forces.
*April 17 - Virginia seceded from the Union, and later on, West Virginia broke off from Virginia. West Virginia eventually became a state in 1863.
*May 6-7 - Arkansas and Tennessee both seceded from the Union within a day of each other. Later, on May 20, North Carolina also seceded from the Union.
*May 10 - [[Camp Jackson massacre]]: Union military forces clashed with civilians on the streets of St. Louis, Missouri, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 people and injuries to another 100.

==Births==

===Villain births===
*March 30 - [[Grat Dalton]]
*May 16 - [[H. H. Holmes]]
*July 26 - [[James Kimble Vardaman]]

==Deaths==

===Villain deaths===

*August 16 - [[Ranavalona I]]