The Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history. President Abraham Lincoln gave the speech on November 19, 1863. He spoke at the battlefield of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. The speech was only about two minutes long. But its words are remembered to this day.

A Sad Place

The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the biggest fights of the Civil War. More than 50,000 soldiers were killed or wounded there. A few months later, the battlefield was turned into a cemetery. Lincoln came to help honor the soldiers who died. Thousands of people came to hear him speak.

Famous Words

Lincoln's speech began with the words, 'Four score and seven years ago.' That meant 87 years, back to when America was born. Lincoln said the country needed to stay together and be free. He said government should be 'of the people, by the people, for the people.' These words are still quoted today.

Fun Facts

• The Gettysburg Address has only 272 words.
• Lincoln was not the main speaker that day, but his speech is the one we remember.
• Lincoln wrote the speech on just one or two pages of paper.

Did You Know?

At first, some newspapers thought Lincoln's speech was too short and simple, but today it is called one of the greatest speeches ever.