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The Gettysburg Address - History
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The Gettysburg Address

description The Gettysburg Address Overview

The Gettysburg Address is a short speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. It was given at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Notably, Lincoln reframed the conflict as a test of democracy and equality, asserting that the nation’s founding principles should ensure a new birth of freedom. This address remains a cornerstone of American political thought and is studied by historians, students, and anyone interested in understanding the war's significance and its enduring ideals.

help The Gettysburg Address FAQ

When did Abraham Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg Address?

Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. The speech was given at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

How long is the Gettysburg Address?

The speech is famously short, at about 272 words in the widely used Bliss copy. Despite its length, it became one of the central texts of American civic history.

What does four score and seven years ago mean?

A score is 20 years, so four score and seven means 87 years. Lincoln was referring back from 1863 to 1776 and the Declaration of Independence.

Why was the Gettysburg Address important during the Civil War?

Lincoln reframed the Civil War as a test of democratic government and human equality. He connected the Union cause to the Declaration of Independence rather than only to preserving the United States.

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