Abraham Lincoln, a National Cemetery, and the Gettysburg Address

September 25, 2023 / 7:00PM-8:00PM

Arts and History

July 1863, forces of Confederate General Lee and Union General Mead clashed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. When the battle ended, there were a total of 45,000 to 51,000 casualties, dead, wounded, missing or captured soldiers. It was decided that a new National Cemetery would be commissioned to serve as a final resting place for the Union dead. A ceremony would take place and President Abraham Lincoln was invited to share a “few appropriate remarks”. In about 2 minutes, Lincoln delivered one of the most well-known and enduring speeches in American history. This talk explores the origins of the Gettysburg National Cemetery as well as Lincoln’s role in its dedication. It further discusses the greater meaning of Lincoln’s speech as well as distinguishes the truth from the legends and myths that have grown around this seminal piece of American oration.