Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Events around the country are planned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and now’s there’s an easy way to get a feel for the complete scope of celebrations.
The National Park Service’s website offers everything you need to know, including a guide to more than 1,700 historic sites and more than 100 national parks with Civil War themes.
“We are working for later this year on the Maryland campaign, which will involve the lead up to the 150th anniversary of the battle of Antietam,” says National Park Service spokesman Bill Line.
More than 23,000 people were killed or wounded in that battle on Sept. 17, 1862, the most in a one-day battle on American soil.
The website also includes a little fiction for a 21st-century effect. A Civil War era correspondent is doing daily reports on each battle, which are streamed online by Twitter.
There’s also a narrative that examines the causes of the war and biographies of major players, both civilian and military.
Line says officials hope the narrative and interpretation will take users from the battles of the Civil War up to the battle for civil rights 100 years later.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
