Civil War 150th Anniversary Commemoration

Civil War 150 Commemorations in Gettysburg, April 29-30

Highlights of the beginning of Civil War 150 anniversary commemoration events in Gettysburg April 29-30 are:

• 150 cannon volley beginning Saturday evening at the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park at 7:30 p.m.
• Luminary lighting ceremony at 8 p.m., Lincoln Square, downtown Gettysburg
• Re-enactment skirmishes at the Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary at 11 a.m. and on Baltimore Street at 4 p.m.

The weekend called "Gettysburg—A Town in Turmoil" is the culmination of the month-long Invasion of Pennsylvania, a regional series of events commemorating the beginning of the Civil War 150 years ago.

The 150th Anniversary of the Beginning of the American Civil War

The date April 12, 2011, marks 150 years since Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter, S.C., initiating a war that transformed the nation. At the end of the conflict, not only was slavery abolished, but citizenship was also redefined and the federal union strengthened. In 2011, Civil War 150th anniversary commemorations have begun.

"Fort Sumter provides visitors with the opportunity to understand, reflect upon and deepen their appreciation of our shared history and the relevance of this period to society today," says Fort Sumter Superintendent Tim Stone. Quoting U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Stone continues, "The sesquicentennial of the Civil War is a time to commemorate those who fought and died during this pivotal era in American history. At the same time, it is an opportunity for us to renew our commitment to the ongoing march for freedom and equality for all people."

Beginning April 12 at Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, S.C., Union and Confederate re-enactors will present programs including musket firings, heavy artillery drills and occupation of the fort. Fort Moultire, located at nearby Sullivan's Island, will have up to 250 re-enactors encamped on the park ground to provide musket firings and heavy artillery drills. Daily programs focusing on the civilian home front at the beginning of the Civil War will be held in dowtown Charleston. 

Gettysburg Commemorates the Civil War 150th Anniversary

From 2011 and 2015, special ceremonies and other programs will take place in and around the town of Gettysburg and Adams County.

Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War is particularly significant at Gettysburg National Military Park. Today, the Gettysburg battlefield is a reminder of three fateful days in July 1863, when the tide of the war shifted from Confederate to Union advantage. When the fighting ended, the brutal three-day battle left behind more than 51,000 soldiers who were killed, wounded, captured or missing.

The Gettysburg Foundation will partner with the National Park Service at Gettysburg National Military Park to use the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War to increase public understanding of the heritage and lasting significance of Gettysburg and Gettysburg's place within the context of the American Civil War.

Check this page and the events calendar for programs commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

'Gettysburg for a New Generation'

"One of my top goals is that the community's Civil War 150th commemorative activities are well planned and successfully executed. Together as a community, we have developed important goals: honor the brave men and women whose courage and devotion to duty shaped our nation; include stories of both well-known and lesser-known events, soldiers and civilians; and  reach new and younger audiences," says Bob Kirby, superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park.

"These next few years will be our chance to create a new experience—a Gettysburg for a New Generation," he adds.

The Gettysburg Area 150th Anniversary Steering Committee has been established to oversee the commemoration of the American Civil War in Gettysburg and Adams County. Its mission is to join in Pennsylvania's statewide commemoration efforts and to ensure an inclusive, positive legacy and long-term benefit for residents of and visitors to Gettysburg and Adams County.

The Gettysburg Area 150th Anniversary Steering Committee is under the direction of Main Street Gettysburg and approved by the Adams County Commissioners.

Commemoration Activities Begin April 2011

Here's a look at official commemorative events taking place in April:

• April 9, Greencastle, Pa.—Re-enactments and living history programs commemorate fighting that took place on the town's square.
• April 16, Chambersburg, Pa.—Re-enactments and other programs will highlight Chambersburg's role in Civil War history. The town was raided Oct. 10, 1862 and burned in a raid on July 30, 1864.
• April 23, Fairfield, Pa.—A dramatic re-enactment of a cavalry skirmish that occurred in Fairfield on July 3, 1863, calls attention to the town's role during the Battle of Gettysburg.
• April 30, Gettysburg, Pa.—Living history encampments, re-enactment skirmishes, lectures and programs are currently in development. A closing ceremony will be held at Gettysburg National Military Park.

150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

In 2013, Gettysburg will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Programs and events are currently in development. For details, visit the exclusive Gettysburg Civil War 150 website.