The name of the document that formally abolished slavery in the United States is the 13th Amendment. Ratified on December 6, 1865, this amendment legally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The passage of the 13th Amendment marked a pivotal moment in American history, affirming the country's commitment to freedom and equality after the Civil War. It not only changed the legal status of millions of formerly enslaved individuals but also laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements in the United States, shaping the trajectory of American society.