The Gettysburg Address

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in American history.

Lincoln’s speech, though short, it was only 271 words, was written as a reminder to the public as to why the Union had to fight and win the Civil War.

Four months earlier, the Battle of Gettysburg was fought. It became the turning point of the Civil War yet the cost was high. Over the three days the battle was fought, more than 45,000 men were killed, injured, captured or went missing.

The defeat for the Confederates at Gettysburg was General Robert E. Lee’s last invasion of northern territory. It also brought about the beginning of the end for the southern Army.

After the battle, an attorney named David Willis bought 17 acres of land to turn into a cemetery for the soldiers who died. A few weeks before the cemetery’s dedication, Willis asked Lincoln to say a few words at the ceremony.

We are studying the importance of this speech and the words that Lincoln used in the speech.  I think the speech is a very important part of history.  My 8th grade Social Studies teacher must have thought so too, she made me memorize it.  Next time you see me in class, ask me to recite it.  Let's see how much of Lincoln's speech I remember.