South Carolina's Civil War
Sesquicentennial

About the Sesquicentennial plans:

• Enabling Legislation can be found at: http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/104.htm
   
• Summary of Sesquicentennial Statewide Meetings for Citizen Input
   
• April 30, 2007 Minutes of the SC Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Board
   
• March 6, 2008 Minutes of the SC Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Board

Learn more about the Civil War in South Carolina

• The Sesquicentennial and other Commemorations in the news
   
• Civil War Related Sites in South Carolina
   
• Links to other Sesquicentennial commemorations
   
• The Ordinance of Secession
   
• Interested in reading about the Civil War? Visit the SC Archives and History on-line bookstore
  
  
  
  
  Pictured above right: 
• Secession Banner Many banners flew on the streets of Charleston, but this one was moved to hang over the table when the Ordinance of Secession was signed on December 20, 1860.  Painted by Isaac B. Alexander of Camden, it depicts south Carolina as the keystone of a new republic. South Carolina Historical Society
• The Grand Secession March The Grand Secession March was played for Governor Francis W. Pickens on December 21, 1860, as celebrations of South Carolina's secession spread throughout the South.  Governor Pickens spoke from the balcony of Charleston's Mills House hotel in an evening ceremony.  Bells had rung and bonfires had burned until past midnight the previous day, "Secession Day." South Caroliniana Library
• The Palmetto State Song The cover of the sheet music for "The Palmetto State Song" contains the only known  image of the signing of the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession on the evening of December 20, 1860.  During the historic event, applause from the capacity crowd of nearly 3,000 shook Institute Hall.  Little-known artist A. Grinevald drew the scene. South Caroliniana Library

For more information contact: Ben Hornsby
             Tel. 803.896.6265
             E-mail: bfhornsby@scdah.state.sc.us