What did the Battle of Fort Sumter symbolize in the context of the Civil War?

The Battle of Fort Sumter is significant because it marked the official start of the Civil War on April 12, 1861. When Confederate forces fired upon the fort, it signified the break between the North and South, leading to a full-scale armed conflict. Prior to this, tensions had been escalating over issues such as states' rights and slavery, but the attack on Fort Sumter acted as the catalyst that brought these underlying tensions to the forefront, uniting the North against the secessionist Southern states. This event also prompted President Abraham Lincoln to call for troops, further solidifying the divide and demonstrating that diplomacy had failed, thus setting the stage for the war to come. The significance of Fort Sumter as the starting point of hostilities is a keystone in understanding the progression and timeline of the Civil War.