April 1861Reputable sourceWell documented
The Civil War begins
On the timeline · around April 1861 ·
What happened
Confederate batteries fired on Fort Sumter, opening a four-year war over slavery and union that killed some 750,000 Americans.
Why it matters
The nation's existential crisis — its resolution ended slavery and redefined the union.
Sources
- US National Park Service. The Civil War · Reputable source