American Civil War starts today in 1861

The bloodiest four years in American history begin when Confederate shore batteries under General P.G.T. Beauregard open fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Bay. During the next 34 hours, 50 Confederate guns and mortars launched more than 4,000 rounds at the poorly supplied fort. On April 13, U.S. Major Robert Anderson surrendered the fort. Two days later, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteer soldiers to quell the Southern "insurrection."

If you’re a Civil War-early Americana history buff you need to add Charleston SC to your must see bucket list. It’s a classic southern belle of a city!

It’s also a year around home port for Carnival Cruise Lines and features departure on other select dates.

About an hour away is Savannah GA, another great trip!  But that’s another story!