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musket33r 20-Feb-13, 06:39	Mississippi finally ratifies the 13th Whoops! Although, I'm a bit suprised nobody raised an eyebrow when they voted to ratify it in 1995. Maybe even law makers forget things too. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, was ratified in 1865. Lawmakers in Mississippi, however, only got around to officially ratifying the amendment last month -- 148 years later -- thanks to the movie "Lincoln." The state's historical oversight came to light after Mississippi resident Ranjan Batra saw the Steven Spielberg-directed film last November, the Clarion-Ledger reports. After watching the film, which depicts the political fight to pass the 13th Amendment, Batra did some research. He learned that the amendment was ratified after three-fourths of the states backed it in December 1865. Four remaining states all eventually ratified the amendment -- except for Mississippi. Mississippi voted to ratify the amendment in 1995 but failed to make it official by notifying the U.S. Archivist. Batra spoke to another Mississippi resident, Ken Sullivan, who contacted Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann about the oversight. Finally, on Jan. 30, Hosemann sent the Office of the Federal Register a copy of the 1995 resolution, and on Feb. 7, the Federal Register made the ratification official. According to the Clarion-Ledger, it's unclear why the state never sent the U.S. Archivist its 1995 resolution. "What an amendment to have an error in filing," Dick Molpus, who served then as secretary of state, told the paper. www.cbsnews.com
changeling 20-Feb-13, 06:41	I was steering clear of this one musket.
softaire 20-Feb-13, 08:03	It was just a formality. Once the Constitution has met all hurdles to become changed, it is changed and applies everywhere whether or not a state formally ratifies it. As part of the Union, they had to abide by it. It's not like they finally consented to do so.
musket33r 21-Feb-13, 04:21	An amusing formality at that. Does nobody else find it slightly amusing that Mississippi seemingly forgot to ratify this for nearly 150 years?
chaz- 24-Feb-13, 09:02	Musket ... ... but Softy is technically correct here. Considering the history, the "win" had been achieved, and it was unnecessary to force the state to publicly capitulate their "loss" ... and 150 years ago (and for some time after adoption), it was more important to start the healing process. This healing process was for a very large wound, remnants of which we still see today. There needs to be no defense for this recent approval action ... nor humiliation.

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