Abraham Lincoln's - Gettysburg Address - 1863

 

Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" is one of the most famous speeches in American history, delivered by the 16th President of the United States during the Civil War. The speech was given on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, following the Battle of Gettysburg.

In just 272 words, Lincoln delivered a powerful and poignant message that spoke to the heart of what was at stake in the Civil War: the preservation of the Union and the principles of democracy upon which it was founded. He also paid tribute to the soldiers who had died in the battle, calling them "brave men" who had made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The speech began with the now-famous opening line: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Lincoln went on to argue that the Civil War was a test of whether a government "of the people, by the people, for the people" could endure, and that it was the duty of the living to carry on the work of those who had died to preserve the Union.

The Gettysburg Address is widely regarded as one of the most important speeches in American history, and its powerful message continues to resonate more than 150 years later. - with chatGPT

 

 


 

- Full Text - 

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Winston Churchill - Funeral Address for King George VI - 1952

Image
 In February 1952, following the death of King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill, who was serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time, delivered a funeral address. This speech paid tribute to the late King and commemorated his life and reign. In his address, Churchill praised King George VI's unwavering dedication to his duties and his strong moral character. He acknowledged the King's perseverance through challenging times, such as World War II, and the critical role he played in uniting the nation and the Commonwealth during these difficult years. Churchill highlighted King George VI's deep sense of responsibility and his commitment to the welfare of his people, which endeared him to the British public. The Prime Minister also emphasized the King's steadfast support for the democratic principles and institutions that underpinned the British political system. Churchill spoke about the personal qualities of King George VI, describing him as a kind, compas...
Read more

Theodore Roosevelt's - The Man with the Muck-Rake - 1906

Image
  "The Man with the Muck-Rake" was a speech given by President Theodore Roosevelt on April 14, 1906, at the Gridiron Club in Washington, D.C. In his speech, Roosevelt addressed the issue of "yellow journalism" and criticized those who sought to expose the flaws and corruption of society without offering solutions to fix them. The speech was based on a passage from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," in which the character Ignorance is shown using a muck-rake to focus only on the dirt and filth on the ground while ignoring the crown above him. Roosevelt used this analogy to criticize journalists and writers who were only focused on exposing corruption and ignored the positive aspects of society. Roosevelt argued that it was important to recognize and acknowledge the problems in society, but it was equally important to offer solutions to fix them. He urged journalists and writers to use their platforms to promote constructive and positive change inst...
Read more

Richard Nixon - Apollo 11 Moon Landing Address - 1969

Image
On July 20, 1969, President Richard Nixon delivered a historic address to the nation, celebrating the successful Apollo 11 moon landing. This monumental achievement marked the first time humans had set foot on the moon, and it fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's ambitious goal of reaching the moon by the end of the 1960s. In his address, President Nixon commended the tremendous efforts of the astronauts—Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins—as well as the thousands of scientists, engineers, and support staff who had worked tirelessly to make the mission a success. He acknowledged the global impact of this accomplishment, describing it as a victory for humanity as a whole and a testament to the power of human ingenuity and determination. Nixon emphasized the importance of the United States' leadership in space exploration, asserting that the nation's commitment to science, technology, and innovation had enabled it to achieve this unprecedented milestone. He also...
Read more