Which sentence states a fact?
The United States Civil War began in 1861. The United States Civil War was the saddest war.
A fact is something that can be proved to be true. Facts can be proved by observing, measuring, or studying information.
The flag of the United States has 13 stripes.
This is a fact. It can be proved by looking at the flag and counting the number of stripes.
An opinion is something that a person believes, thinks, or feels. An opinion cannot be proved true.
The flag of the United States is easy to draw.
This is an opinion. People may have different opinions about what makes a flag "easy" to draw.
The first sentence states a fact.
The United States Civil War began in 1861.
It can be proved by looking up the year that the United States Civil War started.
The second sentence states an opinion.
The United States Civil War was the saddest war.
Saddest shows what a person believes, thinks, or feels. Another person might have a different opinion about what makes a war sad.