The Gettysburg Address, Delivered by Abraham Lincoln at the Dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery of Gettysburg, November 19, 1863

[DonRocks]

Four and a half months after the Union Major General George Meade's Army of the Potomac repelled the attacks of General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at the Battle of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln delivered this short, moving speech at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA.

Though only about two minutes long, this remains one of the most stirring speeches in American history.

You should always be able to remember when it was given by starting in 1776, and then adding "four score and seven years," which will add 87 years and take you into 1863, the heart of the American Civil War.

Why am I writing this? In hopes that one person will read it, and get something out of it. I, for one, did not know about either the "Army of the Potomac" or the "Army of Northern Virginia" (I mean, I "knew" about them, but I didn't recall their exact names). Northern Virginia!

By clicking on these links, and continuing to study in depth, you could spend a lifetime learning about any number of things, all worth your time and effort. Actually, I was watching "Four O'Clock" - a Twilight Zone Season 3 Episode - and happened to notice the Gettysburg Address posted on a wall, and was for some reason moved to read it aloud, slowly, and then to write about it here.

The speech itself, in its entirety.

[DIShGo]

Since it was delivered on November 19, I am going to make myself a note to read it next Wednesday.

[DIShGo]

I had no idea it was so brief. He said so much in so few words. It is the perfect example of the power of few well chosen words.

[DonRocks]

I had no idea it was so brief. He said so much in so few words. It is the perfect example of the power of few well chosen words.

I was wondering if you'd ultimately mention this when you announced your Grand Plans to tackle the entire address.

Seriously though, good for you for having put eyes to paper. That's a hell of a lot more than 99% of us (including me) can say we did.

Everyone, after you've read it, watch this:

Happy 151st (i.e., 7 score and 11 years ago) Birthday, Gettysburg Address!