The Thirteenth Amendment (Amendment XIII) abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except for punishment for a crime for which the defendant has been convicted. Congress was given the power to ...

On Jan. 31, 1865, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the U.S. The amendment states, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, ...

Paul G. Summers is a lawyer. He is a former appellate and senior judge, district attorney general, and the attorney general of Tennessee. Editor's note: This is a regular feature on issues related to ...

Paul G. Summers, a lawyer, is a former appellate and senior judge, district attorney general, and the attorney general of Tennessee. Editor's note: This is a regular feature on issues related to the ...

Editor's note: This is a regular feature on issues related to the Constitution and civics education written by Paul G. Summers, retired judge and state attorney general. The Thirteenth Amendment ...