Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address is a short but powerful speech. It was delivered by Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.

The speech was given to dedicate a new cemetery for soldiers. This cemetery is now known as Gettysburg National Cemetery. It is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The speech is considered one of the most important pieces of American rhetoric. It helped define the national purpose of the United States during a very difficult time.

The speech took place on November 19, 1863. This was during the American Civil War. Only four and a half months earlier, a massive battle had occurred on these same grounds.

The Battle of Gettysburg lasted from July 1 to July 3, 1863. It was the deadliest battle of the Civil War. During those three days, more than 50,000 soldiers from the Union and Confederate armies suffered casualties. Over 3,000 soldiers died during the fight. The Union victory in this battle changed the course of the war.

Lincoln was not the main speaker of the day. A famous statesman named Edward Everett gave the primary oration.

Everett's speech was very long. It contained 13,607 words and lasted for two hours. At that time, long speeches for cemetery dedications were a common tradition. Lincoln's contribution was much smaller. His address had only 271 words and lasted less than two minutes. He spoke to a crowd of approximately 15,000 people.

Lincoln's physical health was poor during the event. He traveled to Gettysburg on November 18 with several cabinet members.

During the trip, he told his assistant, John Hay, that he felt weak. On the day of the speech, Lincoln felt dizzy. Witnesses noted that his face looked "ghastly" and he appeared haggard.

After the event, he was feverish and had a severe headache. Modern doctors believe Lincoln was likely in a "prodromal period" of smallpox. This is the early stage of the disease before a rash appears.

The content of the speech used very specific language. Lincoln began by referencing the Declaration of Independence from 1776. He argued that the Civil War was testing if a nation dedicated to such principles could endure. He used imagery of birth and life to describe the nation. He spoke of the country being "conceived" and "brought forth."

He also used the famous phrase regarding government "of the people, by the people, for the people."

Some scholars believe his style was inspired by the King James Bible.

Because people listened and wrote things down differently, several versions of the speech exist. Newspaper reports and handwritten notes often had different punctuation or wording. One version is known as the Bliss copy.

Lincoln wrote this version for a friend after the speech. It is the only version that includes his signature and a formal title. Because of this, many historians use the Bliss version as the standard text. Even the government once used a different, incorrect text for a bronze tablet in 1895.

The speech did not become famous immediately. It took many years for the public to recognize its true significance. It did not enter the broader American canon until decades after Lincoln's death. Its popularity grew after World War I.

Today, the words are etched into the marble of the Lincoln Memorial. The speech is now a staple in school textbooks. It is studied as a perfect example of how to use the English language to advance a political cause.