North Carolina became the 27th state to ratify the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States, a monumental change following the conclusion of the Civil War. This legislative act took place on December 4, 1865, as North Carolina's state government took formal steps towards rejoining the Union. Just two days later, Georgia followed suit, becoming the 28th state to endorse the amendment. The ratification process highlighted a pivotal moment in American history, signifying the end of institutionalized slavery and laying the groundwork for future civil rights advancements.

The 13th Amendment was a direct consequence of the Civil War and the intense discussions surrounding the abolition of slavery. The requirement for states to ratify the amendment before being fully readmitted into the Union added a layer of urgency to the movement towards abolition that had begun in earnest during the war. With the ratification of the 13th Amendment, slavery was made illegal, and the two states contributed to the collective effort to secure the abolition throughout the United States. Within just a fortnight of the ratification by both states, the implications became clearer: enslaved individuals across the country were legally recognized as free.