The historical document that officially ended the Civil War in the United States is the "Surrender at Appomattox Court House," signed on April 9, 1865. This marked the capitulation of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. The surrender didn’t immediately conclude the war, as other Confederate forces continued to fight, but it was symbolically critical, illustrating the collapse of the Confederacy. The formal terms offered to the Confederate soldiers were generous, aimed at promoting reconciliation and healing. Ultimately, the Civil War's conclusion led to the Reconstruction era, during which efforts were made to integrate formerly enslaved individuals into society and rebuild the Southern states.