When and where did the Civil War actually begin?

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, at Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. This location was significant as it was a federal fort that had been surrounded by Confederate forces. The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter marked the start of hostilities between the Union and the Confederacy, leading to a full-scale war. The battle lasted for about 34 hours and resulted in the surrender of the fort to Confederate forces, galvanizing both sides and leading to further escalations. This event is widely recognized as the official beginning of the Civil War, making it a pivotal moment in American history.

Other options reference significant battles or moments in the Civil War, such as Gettysburg, Bull Run, and Antietam, but these occurred later in the conflict and did not mark the actual beginning of the war.