September 17, 1862

On this date in 1862, the Battle of Antietam was fought. This battle, fought during the American Civil War, is known as the bloodiest one-day battle in American history, with over 23,000 casualties.

Antietam is the name of a creek near Sharpsville, Maryland, where the battle was fought. In the south, it's known as the Battle of Sharpsville.

At the end of the day, Union Major General McClellen won the battle of Confederate General Lee. Lee's retreat prompted President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery.

Many of the soldiers who fought at Antietam met again less than a year later at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Social Studies Tip of the Week - Military Statues

Have you ever been to a place like Valley Forge, Gettysburg, or Washington, D.C., that have a lot of statues of soldiers on horseback? Did you know that you can read those statues?

If both the horse's front feet are off the ground, it means that the rider was killed in battle.

If the horse has one foot off the ground, it means that the rider died from injuries received in battle.

If all four of the horse's feet are firmly on the ground, it means that the rider lived to a ripe old age and died of natural causes.