What event is associated with the Surrender at Appomattox?

The Surrender at Appomattox is primarily recognized as the event marking the end of major combat in the American Civil War. When General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, it signaled the collapse of the Confederate Army and effectively concluded the war in favor of the Union. This pivotal moment not only demonstrated the Union's military superiority but also initiated the process of reunification of the nation, paving the way for the subsequent challenges of the Reconstruction Era.

Although the surrender set the stage for the Reconstruction Era, it is distinct from the actual beginning of that period, which involved more complex political and social processes. The assassination of President Lincoln and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation occurred at earlier points in history and were significant in their own right, but they are not directly tied to the event of surrender at Appomattox. Thus, identifying this surrender as the last battle underscores its historical significance as the definitive end of the Civil War.