Four score and seven years ago... Seems like every kid learns these famous words in school and many kids go on to recite the entire Gettysburg Address. President Abraham Lincoln probably would be amazed by that—he even said in his speech that he did not predict it would be remembered years later. But in only 272 words he crafted a timeless and eloquent speech that continues to inspire.
Today marks the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Delivered four months after the Battle of Gettysburg at the dedication of a national cemetary to bury the Union soldiers that died in the Civil War.
There was no equality in the US before the Civil War—a war that ended slavery. Lincoln's speech linked the idea of the Union and freedom. In his speech he never uses the word slavery, but his words eloquently explain the importance of equality for all people and the new birth of freedom.
You can hear a discussion of the speech and hear it read by historian Eric Foner and NPR staff here. Or listen to Jeff Daniels reading it here.
Image: Gettysburg Address graphic above by me, Chris Olson, words by President Lincoln. Feel free to pin image on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!