Today in History: 13 April 1861

Fort Sumter Surrenders to Confederate Troops

ABOVE: Fort Sumter

ABOVE: Fort Sumter from the Charleston Defences

On this day in 1861, Fort Sumter, the island fort in the entrance to Charleston Harbor surrendered to Confederate troops following a fierce bombardment that had begun the previous day. The Battle of Fort Sumter was the first major battle of the American Civil War.

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Sumter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Sumter

Books:
– Within Fort Sumter, by A. Fletcher
– Major Robert Anderson and Fort Sumter, by Eba Anderson Lawton

USA: Confederate Civil War Submarine H. L. Hunley

The world’s first successful combat submarine, the H. L. Hunley, was raised from the ocean floor near Charleston over 10 years ago and is now on display in the United States.

For more on this exciting civil war discovery, read:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45980970/#.TxKF66WHFKV

For photos, visit:
http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/13/10144922-complete-civil-war-submarine-unveiled-for-first-time