On April 16, 1861, the Civil War's first days continued through mobilization, rumor, family separation, military preparation, and the widening human cost of a conflict still taking shape. Part of Civil War Day by Day, a chronological podcast following the American Civil War one day at a time.

On April 15, 1861, this episode follows the events behind "Lincoln calls for volunteers," placing the day in its military, political, and human context while following how the war touched soldiers, civilians, families, and enslaved people.

This episode keeps the focus on both the facts of the day and the people who lived through them, including soldiers, civilians, families, enslaved people, free Black communities, and local witnesses wherever the day's story allows.

On April 14, 1861, this episode follows the events behind "The U.S. flag leaves Sumter," placing the day in its military, political, and human context while following how the war touched soldiers, civilians, families, and enslaved people. Part of Civil War Day by Day, a chronological podcast following the American Civil War one day at a time.

On April 13, 1861, this episode follows the events behind "Fort Sumter surrenders," placing the day in its military, political, and human context while following how the war touched soldiers, civilians, families, and enslaved people. Part of Civil War Day by Day, a chronological podcast following the American Civil War one day at a time.

On April 12, 1861, this episode follows the events behind "Fort Sumter is fired upon," placing the day in its military, political, and human context while following how the war touched soldiers, civilians, families, and enslaved people. Part of Civil War Day by Day, a chronological podcast following the American Civil War one day at a time.

The second lead-in episode follows the secession winter, the creation of the Confederacy, the crisis at Fort Sumter, and the lives caught in the final days before war. Part of Civil War Day by Day, a chronological podcast following the American Civil War one day at a time.

The series opens with the first half of the year before the Civil War, tracing the political fracture, slavery debate, party collapse, and human uncertainty that carried the country toward Lincoln's election. Part of Civil War Day by Day, a chronological podcast following the American Civil War one day at a time.