Question

An event that marked the beginning of the American Civil War

Answer 1

Battle at Fort Sumter.
Fort Sumter was a federal fort on an island in a body of water near the recently separated South Carolina. Fort Moultrie was really close to confederates, so the Union soldiers packed up and moved to Fort Sumter. Anderson, now at Fort Sumter, requested Lincoln to send supplies. The confederates saw this as a preparation for war and opened fire on Fort Sumter. There was only one casualty, but it was South Carolina "throwing the first punch". Now, the Union had an excuse to start a civil war

Answer 2

A short way to phrase it is on April 12, 1861- Southern forces fire upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The Civil War has formally begun