The American Civil War (1861-1865) was marked by several significant events that shaped its course. Here are some of the major events:

Fort Sumter (April 12, 1861): The first shots of the Civil War were fired as Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, marking the beginning of the conflict.

First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861): The first major battle of the war, where Confederate forces defeated Union troops, bolstering Southern confidence.

Antietam (September 17, 1862): The bloodiest single-day battle in American history, resulting in a Union tactical victory. This battle led to President Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863): Lincoln declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory, altering the war’s purpose to include the fight against slavery.

Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863): A turning point in the war, this crucial Union victory ended Lee’s invasion of the North.

Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863): The Union’s victory gave them control of the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.

Sherman’s March to the Sea (November 15 – December 21, 1864): Union General William Tecumseh Sherman led a destructive campaign through Georgia, aimed at crippling the South’s war potential.

Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865): Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, marking the end of the Civil War.

Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (April 14, 1865): Just days after Lee’s surrender, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, impacting the post-war reconstruction era.

These events were pivotal in shaping the outcome of the war and the future of the United States.