Essays On Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address is a speech given by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863. It was delivered four and a half months after Confederate forces led by General Robert E. Lee had defeated Union forces under Major General George Meade at the Battle of Gettysburg. In his brief remarks”less than three minutes long”Lincoln consecrated the cemetery for those who had died in battle there and rededicated the nation to continuing its commitment to a new birth of freedom” that he said had been won at great cost. The address is widely regarded as one of America’s most famous speeches and it has since become an iconic representation of national unity and purpose in times of danger. The key themes expressed throughout Lincoln’s speech were democracy, freedom, equality, sacrifice and unity. He spoke about how democracy should be dedicated to achieving a “new birth of freedom” which would ensure all people are free from oppression regardless of race or class status this was particularly meaningful due to its delivery shortly after emancipation took effect in certain states during July 1863 with passage of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation Act. Lincoln also discussed how even though many lives have been lost fighting for these principles they must continue to strive towards them because their efforts will not be forgotten: the brave men living and dead who fought shall not have died in vain but rather will live forever through what they achieved through their sacrifices ” giving future generations hope that government[s] rooted [in] justice can endure forever”. Finally, he concluded his speech by emphasizing how we must remain united despite our differences: we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vainand that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom”and that government[s]of the people by the peoplefor the peopleshall not perish from this earth Through its brief yet powerful words, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address provided comfort for grieving families while inspiring hope for a better future where everyone could experience true liberty regardless if their skin color or economic status – showing us all just how determined Americans are when faced with adversity together. This timeless message still resonates today whenever we feel like giving up hope because it reminds us no matter what happens there will always be something worth fighting for.