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Abraham Lincoln Elected
November 6, 1860- Abraham Lincoln is elected sixteenth president of the United States, the first Republican president in the nation who represents a party that opposes the spread of slavery in the territories of the United States. -
First Secession
December 17, 1860- The first Secession Convention meets in Columbia, South Carolina. -
South Carolina Secedes
December 20, 1860- South Carolina secedes from the Union -
Fort Sumpter, South Carolina
April 12, 1861- Southern forces fire upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The Civil War has formally begun. -
Charleston Harbor
October 5, 1863- Outside of Charleston Harbor, the Confederate David, a partially submerged, steam powered vessel, attacked the New Ironsides, part of the Union fleet blockading the harbor, with a torpedo. Both ships survived the attack, though the commander of the David and one of his crew were captured. -
First Submarine Attack
February 17, 1864- First Successful Submarine Attack of the Civil War. The CSS H.L. Hunley, a seven-man submergible craft, attacked the USS Houstonic outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Struck by the submarine's torpedo, the Housatonic broke apart and sank, taking all but five of her crew with her. Likewise, the Hunley was also lost and never heard from again until discovered in 1995 at the spot where it sank after the attack. -
Abraham Lincoln Second Term
June 8, 1864- Abraham Lincoln is nominated by his party for a second term as president -
Sherman's army leaves Savannah
February 1, 1865- Sherman's Army leaves Savannah to march through the Carolinas. -
Sherman's Army captures Columbia, South Carolina
February 17, 1865- Sherman's Army captures Columbia, South Carolina while Confederate defenders evacuate Charleston, South Carolina.