July 28, 1868: Following its ratification by the necessary three-
quarters of U.S. states, the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship 
to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including formerly enslaved people—was officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution. Secretary of State William Seward issued a
proclamation certifying the amendment. 

William Henry Seward
(May 16, 1801 – October 10, 1872)