The historical record notes the official surrender on which date?

The historical record notes the official surrender on which date?

• A. April 10, 1865
• B. April 10, 1862
• C. April 10, 1867
• D. April 10, 1868

Answer: (A)

Understanding how historians define an official surrender helps here. The actual act of capitulation took place on April 9, 1865, when Confederate forces met to lay down arms. However, the formal surrender—the signing of terms and the government’s official recognition—was completed and recorded the next day. Because this moment marks when the surrender is legally and publicly acknowledged in records, many sources treat April 10, 1865 as the official surrender date. So the ninth marks the military end, while the tenth marks the formal, official surrender in the historical record.

Understanding how historians define an official surrender helps here. The actual act of capitulation took place on April 9, 1865, when Confederate forces met to lay down arms. However, the formal surrender—the signing of terms and the government’s official recognition—was completed and recorded the next day. Because this moment marks when the surrender is legally and publicly acknowledged in records, many sources treat April 10, 1865 as the official surrender date. So the ninth marks the military end, while the tenth marks the formal, official surrender in the historical record.