Fort Sumter

Place

Fort Sumter is an historic sea fort located on an artificial island at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. Originally built in 1829 as part of the Third System of coastal defense, it is most famous as the site where the Battle of Fort Sumter took place, marking the official beginning of the American Civil War on April 12, 1861. Today, it is preserved as part of the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.