The attack on Fort Sumter occurred on April 12, 1861, and marked the beginning of the American Civil War. The fort, located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, was held by Union forces but was surrounded by Confederate troops who had seized control of the area.
Tensions had been escalating between Northern and Southern states over issues like states' rights, slavery, and secession. After several Southern states declared their independence from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America, the situation at Fort Sumter became critical.
When President Abraham Lincoln decided to resupply the fort, Confederate leaders saw this as a provocation. On the morning of April 12, Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter. After enduring 34 hours of bombardment, the Union garrison, led by Major Robert Anderson, was forced to surrender the fort on April 13.
The attack on Fort Sumter galvanized both sides: it rallied the North to organize for war to preserve the Union, while it cemented the South's resolve to fight for their newly declared independence. This event is often cited as the official start of the Civil War, leading to a four-year conflict that would reshape the nation.