The Gettysburg Address
November 19, 1863
Location of the Address
Abraham Lincoln gave the address on November 19, 1863 at the dedication to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This is an important setting because the Gettysburg battlefield is thought to be the site of largest battle ever waged on the North American continent. It also proved a turning point in the Civil War.
The Soldiers' National Cemetary
National Cemetary
Gettysburg Battlefield
National Cemetary View
The Address
Purpose
1. Lincoln addressed the country’s civil war: He said it needed to be fought until the country was brought back together again.
2. He honored the soldiers who fought at Gettysburg.
3. All men are created equal and should be treated as equals.
2. He honored the soldiers who fought at Gettysburg.
3. All men are created equal and should be treated as equals.
Peoples' Reactions
The president’s 272-word address lasted only minutes. Immediate reaction to the speech was mixed, with some publications praising it and others denouncing it. Generally, those who supported Lincoln praised the speech and those that opposed him bashed it.
Today
Today, the words of the Gettysburg Address are carved into a wall of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. This is Abraham Lincoln's most famous speech, and is one of the most quoted speeches in our nation's history.
Gettysburg Address