April 12 in American History
Confederate guns opened fire on the Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, and the Civil War had begun. The bloodiest conflict in American history — some 620,000 dead — would settle whether the nation would endure and whether it would be, as Lincoln put it, a country where all men are truly created equal.
In 1861: the Civil War begins at Fort Sumter. Confederate guns opened fire on the Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, and the Civil War had begun.
Confederate guns opened fire on the Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, and the Civil War had begun. The bloodiest conflict in American history — some 620,000 dead — would settle whether the nation would endure and whether it would be, as Lincoln put it, a country where all men are truly created equal.
The Daily Poll · Weigh In
What was the Civil War ultimately about?
Opinion, not a quiz — no wrong answer.
★ Forge Your Freedom
The FreedomMaxxing Daily Brief pairs a history moment like this with what's on your radar today and a live patriot poll — free, 60 seconds.
Take the Free Assessment →