About the Gettysburg Address President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech called the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. The occasion was the dedication of the Soldiers Cemetery on the grounds of the Battle of Gettysburg. In his speech, Lincoln said that the United States would continue to fight so that the whole world could enjoy freedom and equality. Lincoln’s speech lasted only two minutes, and contained only 272 words. The other speaker, Edward Everett, spoke for two hours! Yet even Everett agreed that Lincoln’s speech had expressed the sentiments of the occasion more effectively. This occasion was an important opportunity for the President to honor all those who had given their lives during the Battle. The Battle of Gettysburg (Pennsylvania) on July 1-3, 1863 was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. Many historians consider it one of the turning points of the War. The Union North and Confederate South lost more than 7,000 men during the three-day battle. David Wills, a Gettysburg civic leader, proposed a National Soldier Cemetery in Gettysburg. Pennsylvania governor, Andrew Curtin agreed to the idea and put Wills in charge of the planning. The Soldiers National Cemetery was originally to be the final resting place for more than 3,500 Union soldiers who lost their lives at Gettysburg. Now more than 7,000 soldiers from all America's major wars are buried there. As we continue to honor our fallen soldiers, the words of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address are not forgotten. At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, the text of the Address is carved into one of the walls beside the statue of President Lincoln. Two draft versions of the Address are preserved at the Library of Congress and may be viewed online.
Last updated: February 11, 2000 |
