On May 20, 1861, North Carolina seceded from the Union to join the Confederate States of America.

Thus began the state’s involvement in the American Civil War, which ultimately claimed the lives of more than 40,000 North Carolinians — the most of any Southern state.

Beginning Friday, April 1, North Carolina educators can learn about the diverse roles Tar Heels played in battle and on the home front.

The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh offers the online course “Stories From the Civil War,” which tells the stories of North Carolinians who lived, served and sacrificed during the nation’s bloodiest conflict.

Teachers can earn continuing education credit (up to 40 contact hours), including reading and technology credit, after completing this six-week, self-paced program. The course begins with the state’s entry into the war in 1861 and concludes with the return of peace in 1865.

The professional development course also includes tips on evaluating and using Web sites in the classroom, printable course handouts, information about teaching with primary sources, and links to other relevant Internet resources. Educators complete the sessions at their own pace and discuss ideas and issues with other teachers and the museum staff via a bulletin board.

The course’s table of contents and a sample page are available for review by accessing http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/

edu/ed_md_tw_cw1.html.

A registration form and $25 fee are required by Thursday, March 31.

For more information and a printable registration form, go to http://ncmuseumofhistory.org /edu/ProfDev.html#otw, call 919-807-7971, or e-mail beth.crist@ncmail.net.

Watch the museum’s Web site for six additional online courses for teachers. The courses are American Indians in North Carolina, Past and Present; North Carolina at Home and in Battle in World War II; Legends of North Carolina; Women in North Carolina History; The Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina; and North Carolina Geography. The museum’s Web site is ncmuseumofhistory.org.