American Civil War BEGINS!

April 12, 1861, 150 years ago, the American Civil War started with the firing at Fort Sumter. It last 4 years, cost over 600,000 dead, and tore the very fabric of America to shreds.

There are lots of events commorating the war, if you can attend on, I highly recommend it--and then stop back here and tell me about it!

According to CivilWar.org today, roughly 30 acres of battlefield land are destroyed each and every day, paved over and lost forever. There are many worthy causes to donate to, people to help, lives to save. But preserving our nation's past in important, too. If you can spare even $10, please do so.

“In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream; And lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls.”

- Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain at the 1889 dedication of the 20th Maine monument at Gettysburg