The prominent figure associated with the emancipation of slaves in the United States is Abraham Lincoln. As the 16th President of the United States, he played a crucial role during the American Civil War, and his issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. This executive order marked a significant turning point in the war, emphasizing the fight against slavery as a war aim alongside the preservation of the Union. Lincoln's efforts paved the way for the eventual ratification of the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States.