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Slavery-Ending Documents Signed by Abraham Lincoln Could Rake in a Collective $17M at Auction

Two era-defining documents that ended slavery and reshaped United States history are going under the hammer. The copies of the 13th Amendment (estimated at $8 million to $12 million) and the Emancipation Proclamation (estimated at $3 million to $5 million) are both signed by President Abraham Lincoln — and the landmark documents, rarely seen together, will headline Sotheby’s Fine Books and Manuscripts auction in New York on June 26. They offer collectors a rare glimpse into the enduring legacy of Lincoln’s vision for the legal abolition of slavery. While the Emancipation Proclamation introduced partial emancipation, the 13th Amendment was the first instance in which abolition was enshrined in U.S. law. The latter’s ratification in 1865 marked the first change to the Constitution in 60 years. According to Sotheby’s, the documents are considered the most valuable copies of their kind ever to reach auction. Their appearance together at the event not only marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, but also underscores Lincoln’s commitment to ending slavery — an act he considered his greatest achievement as president. The 13th Amendment copy on offer is among only 15 recorded manuscript copies signed by Lincoln, and one of just nine with his signature alongside those of the senators and congressmen who passed it for ratification by the states. Of these, only four remain in private hands, with this example bearing the most signatures of supporting legislators — an extraordinary 96%.

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Swedish Death Cleaning: What It Is, How to Do It, and Why It’s Important

You may have heard of a practice called “Swedish death cleaning” — a name that’s both intriguing yet fairly straightforward. Perhaps one of the more succinct and accurate summaries of the concept comes by way of comedic actor Amy Poehler’s narration in this amusing trailer for the TV series The Gentle Art of Swedish Death

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From Alpha to Z: A Comprehensive Guide to the Different Generations

This article was updated on 1/6/25. You’ve undoubtedly heard terms like millennial, boomer, and Gen Z used in conversation: Nicknames referring to the various generations have become pervasive in the modern vernacular — but exactly who belongs to which cohort isn’t always clear.   According to the Pew Research Center, categorizing people into various generations provides a means

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Finland Ranked World’s Happiest Country for 7th Consecutive Year: See 2024’s Top 10 List

The 2024 World Happiness Report, which ranks countries based on self-reported happiness levels, has been released. Its publication was timed to coincide with the U.N.’s International Day of Happiness, celebrated annually on March 20. And — drum roll, please — Finland was named the world’s happiest country for the seventh consecutive year. To arrive at their

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“New Room, New Start”: Nonprofit Transforms Bedrooms for Children Who Have Experienced Abuse

Bedrooms should represent safety and security; they should be places to unwind and relax. But for kids who’ve experienced abuse — which in many cases takes place in their own rooms — they can instead become associated with feelings of fear and pain. The nonprofit Room Redux is dedicated to changing that.  Founded by Susie

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