Mississippi did not ratify the 13th until 1995. Does that mean that before 1995 if someone owned a slave there, a state court couldn't do anything about it? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

Mississippi did not ratify the 13th until 1995. Does that mean that before 1995 if someone owned a slave there, a state court couldn't do anything about it?

by TetrosphereEDM

What is the significance of it not being ratified? Why bother ratifying it if the 13th already passed?

matts2

It has no actual significance. Constitutional amendments do not require unanimous consent. Once enough states pass an amendment they are binding on the whole country.