April 12, 1861
The American Civil War began when Confederate forces under General P.G.T. Beauregard launched a 34-hour bombardment of Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The battle ended with the fort's surrender and marked the beginning of America's bloodiest conflict.
The American Civil War officially began with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, marking the start of the deadliest conflict in U.S. history.
