2. Antietam National Battlefield (Maryland)
The Antietam National Battlefield marks the site of the single bloodiest day in American military history, with over 23,000 casualties on September 17, 1862. Highlights include the haunting Sunken Road and the storied Burnside Bridge, vivid reminders of the fierce combat. This pivotal battle gave President Lincoln the momentum to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, adding a profound layer of meaning to this preserved landscape.
