On November 19, 1863, President Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
His remarks lasted only about two minutes and contained roughly 270 words. The main speaker, Edward Everett, had spoken for about two hours.
A New Birth of Freedom
Lincoln described the war as a test of whether a nation dedicated to equality could endure and called for a new birth of freedom.
Legacy
The Gettysburg Address is one of the most quoted speeches in American history and is engraved on the wall of the Lincoln Memorial.
Explore More
Ohio is full of Civil War history. Visit the Ohio History Connection in Columbus, Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery, the Sherman House Museum in Lancaster, Grant’s birthplace in Point Pleasant, and Morgan’s Raid markers across southern and eastern Ohio. County historical societies often hold letters, photos, and flags from local regiments, so check with yours too.
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