Tuesday, June 6, 1865
Missouri voters ratify the "Drake Constitution," which passes after several weeks of vote counting. It is named after a Radical Republican, Charles D. Drake, and conservative opponents call it the "Draconian Constitution." The new constitution formalizes emancipation of the state's slaves, establishes a formal government to replace the provisional Union government, and controversially requires Missouri's male citizens to take an "Iron-Clad Test Oath" to prove their loyalty to the Union before voting in elections. The constitution takes effect on July 4, 1865 but is replaced in 1875.