On April 12, 1861, forces of the Confederate States of America fired on Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. Three days later, President Lincoln called for all loyal states to suppress the rebellion. During the next four years, 2.75 million Union soldiers and 1.25 million Confederates fought in the bloodiest war on American soil. Iowa sent 76,000 into battle.

What divided our nation and drove our people to fight? There were many reasons: state rights, slavery, economic forces, national pride, religious beliefs, and peer pressure. Each soldier’s dedication is exemplified in the intensity of the battles. More than 200,000 fathers, sons and brothers lost their lives in battle, another 400,000 to sickness and disease.

Almost 150 years later, the Civil War stands as pivotal event in our nation’s history. Some of the issues that sent a country to war against itself remain. The lessons are still being learned.