Every spring, Charleston, SC, is host to the Spoleto Festival USA, a diverse arts and culture festival featuring nationally and internationally renowned artists of every discipline.
And every year, we look forward to featuring highlights from the Spoleto Festival USA on Performance Today. This year, however, we decided to do something special.
Join us all this week for a virtual tour of charming Charleston, as we feature the sights and sounds of the Holy City alongside musical highlights from the Spoleto Festival USA.
Wednesday, June 5: Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter National Monument is located in Charleston Harbor, just off the coast of Charleston, SC.
The fort initially functioned as a Federal garrison, and its close proximity to the Confederate state of South Carolina led to mounting tension between the Union and the Confederacy.
These simmering tensions eventually came to a boil, and in the early morning hours of April 12, 1861, Confederate artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter. With those shots, the tragedy of the American Civil War began.
For the next four years the country was engaged in brutal warfare. By the time the Civil War was officially ended on May 9, 1865, over 700,000 Americans had lost their lives.
Tim Stone is the Park Superintendent of Fort Sumter National Monument and Charles Pinckney National Historical Site. He joined us to discuss Fort Sumter's historical significance, the power of the daily flag raising ceremony, and what he hopes visitors experience when they come to the fort.
Want to experience more Charleston? Click on to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of our exploration of the city.
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