10. Fort Sumter National Monument (Charleston, South Carolina)
At Fort Sumter, the first shots of the Civil War rang out in April 1861 when Confederate forces opened fire, setting the stage for a conflict that would reshape the nation. Today, the National Park Service preserves this pivotal site, inviting visitors to explore its ramparts and learn about the causes and far-reaching consequences of the war. Fort Sumter stands as a testament to a nation on the brink of transformation.
