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Not only was this the first major Civil War engagement on Northern soil, it was also the bloodiest single day battle in American history. To realize the magnitude of the losses, consider that Antietam resulted in nine times as many Americans killed or wounded (23,000 soldiers) as took place on June 6, 1944 (D-day), the so-called "longest day" of World War II. Also, consider that more soldiers were killed and wounded at the Battle of Antietam than the deaths of all Americans in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, and Spanish-American War combined. The loss of human life at Antietam shocked both sides and it nearly resulted in Lee's entire army, with its back to the Potomac River, being cut off from retreat across the Potomac (through Shepherdstown) and being captured by the stronger Union forces. Antietam not only halted Lee's bold invasion of the North but also provided Lincoln with the victory he needed to announce the abolition of slavery in the South. And with that Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln was able to broaden the base of the war and may have prevented England and France from lending support to a country that engaged in human bondage.