Fredericksburg (WBQB/WFVA) -- The local Civil War Sesquicentennial Observance will begin tonight with a program on John Brown's Raid. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park Chief Historian John Hennessy says Brown's failed raid is seen as a key milestone in the nation's march toward Civil War. "Distant Thunder: John Brown's Raid" will be tonight at 7 at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. It's free.