Tennessee became the first state to be readmitted back into the Union after the Civil War on this day, July 24, 1866. In a proclamation of Amnesty and Pardon, President Andrew Johnson declared: “Every person who shall seek to avail himself of this proclamation shall take … the following oath … namely: ‘I, ____ ____, do solemnly swear, in presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States … and … abide by … all laws and proclamations which have been made during the late rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves. So help me God.'”
