Step out of your comfort zone and be prepared to hear loud bangs, watch the smoke rise into the air, and see men fall and die in battle. Sure, it's all pretend. They get up and walk again after the battle is over, but the men and women who relive the Civil War in re-enactor events in Woodland Hills this weekend are passionate about America's history celebrated at Heritage Days and Civil War Reenactment at Pierce College Farm Center, Woodland Hills, CA on April 28-29, 2012. The event is held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. $12 general admission; $8 age 4-15 years ; $10 age 65 & older Location: 20800 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91367 Call: (818)999-6300. piercefarmcenter.com

It has been nearly 150 years since the Civil War took place between April 12, 1861 and April 18, 1865 with the surrender of the Confederate army. 617,000 Americans died in the war and four million former slaves were set free with the war's conclusion. California played a critical role in the war with its statehood in 1850, and there's a museum where you can learn about it. The Drum Barracks Civil War Museum in Wilmington (drumbarracks.org) includes authentic artifacts and tours providing information about California and the Civil War. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Southern California sought to secede and split apart from Northern California. Secession seemed possible, in fact, and the populace was largely in favor of it. The banner of the Bear Flag Revolt was flown for several months by secessionists in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Secession became impossible when three companies of Federal cavalry were moved from Fort Mojave and Fort Tejon into Los Angeles in May and June 1861. When you hear discussion about Northern and Southern California becoming two separate states, that possibility actually existed as America entered the Civil War.

There other Civil War re-enactments throughout the year including one that has already taken place in Calico Ghost Town and one upcoming in Huntington Beach on Labor Day Weekend.