Fort Sumter: The First Shots

Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, was the site of the first shots fired in the American Civil War on April 12, 1861. The conflict began when Confederate forces attacked the fort, which was held by Union soldiers.

This confrontation marked a turning point in American history, as it ignited a war between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) over issues including states' rights and slavery.