There are two momentous occasions that are being commemorated this month in the United States. Just a few calendar days from each other, they occurred 100 years apart. The first occasion, yesterday, was the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The second commemoration, November 22, is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I hope to find time to write about President Kennedy’s assassination in a few days. This morning, however, I felt a need to share President Lincoln’s address.
Many of you, growing up in the United States and of a certain age, know of the Battle of Gettysburg. The devastation that battle wrought. The lives lost on that battlefield. The carnage. Many of you were required to memorize the Gettysburg Address, especially if you lived in Illinois. Less than 300 words in length, it was probably spoken by Abraham Lincoln in less than three minutes. It remains burned in our minds, still, and I hope that students are still learning of it.
It is one of the most memorable speeches by any U.S. President.
The photo, as well as this version of the speech are from the National Portraits Galleries site, Face-to-Face. It is a wonderful website and can be found here.
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 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 cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot 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. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. November 19, 1863
Winslow Homer
What more can be said? Lincoln said it so well in so few words. It was written in a time when there were no legions of speech writers and handlers following the president to make sure speeches would assure re election. There were no teleprompters to make sure the president kept on track. The words of this address were meaningful, emotional and heartfelt.
I believe that some schools still require the memorization. I hope they do. I know that it is often posted in classrooms around here.
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Indeed, he did, Janet. What different times those were when the written word and the oral tradition were still so much a part of our moral fiber. This was such a powerful address, I think especially for its simplicity and grace.
I hope schools still teach the Gettysburg as well. We had to memorize it in fourth (or was it fifth) grade when we spent most of the year studying Illinois history. I loved that, as you can imagine I might.
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I had to memorize this speech in fifth grade, and we were graded on how we recited it in front of the class. It is a memorable grouping of words. It’s one of those moments I wish we could have his voice.
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I wish I could have heard it in Lincoln’s own voice as well, Andra. You are right. It is a memorable grouping, with a cadence to it.
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When he said..”the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here”….I guess he didn’t imagine that 5th graders and others would be able to recite those words….and they have certainly been long remembered. Yes, this is certainly a “memorable” week for friends on your side of the big pond. I am looking forward , and also dreading in a way, the 22nd……how can that be half a century ago ? As well as the mourning for JFK, for the awfulness of the event, I think we will probably all be mourning the loss of our youth, as we mark the passing of 50 years. Oh, Penny, this post has really got me thinking. It is going to be a hard few days for some people. Jx
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At the time of address, it is said that most of the people listening to the speech barely heard it. Can you imagine?
I think it has been a hard week for some, Janice, especially the families most impacted. I just saw an interesting documentary on public television which covered the assassination from the perspective of reporting it. The events were the first to be so covered, live, and brought about a marked change in how we receive our news. I was surprised at all the now very mature and renowned newsmen who were cub reporters in Dallas that day.
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It is crucial to review pieces of history like this one lest we forget. I don’t know if it is studied today but hope it is. As an aside, I am reading my late aunt’s copy of Myths after Lincoln, published as a Readers Club edition in 1941 written by the Chicago newspaper columnist Lloyd Lewis. If you can find a copy I am sure you would enjoy it. As for the JFK event, I was 17 so remember it vividly. I would like to read your thoughts if you have time to write something.
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How right you are, Marilyn. I’m hoping the Gettysburg Address is still being studied.
I will try to find a copy of Myths after Lincoln. I certainly recognize the name Lloyd Lewis. Thank you for recommending it.
I’m hoping to put down a few words before this day is through to post early tomorrow, Marilyn – if I can keep my eyes open. I’ll be interested in yours as well.
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This history was not part of my education; however my grandfather was a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln, and I heard of him that way. My grandfather emigrated from Yorkshire, UK as a young man, and was a man of high principle. And so I heard about Abraham Lincoln from one for whom he was the greatest hero.
Thank you for sending the speech Penny; it’s very strong.
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It is so interesting to know that you learned of Abraham Lincoln from your grandfather, Juliet. I am always interested in the historical perspectives outside of our own boundaries here. I think Lincoln is an American president who transcended our borders and oceans.
It is such a strong speech in its simplicity. The statesman who proceeded Lincoln spoke for some two hours. No one remembers what he said. Then, came Lincoln with these words.
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We Americans can’t help but think about both Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy right now, can we? It’s a time of looking back and thinking about our nation’s history and what we are carrying forward with us from those periods of time. I am not someone who has traveled very much, but I made sure to see Gettysburg a few years ago when traveling for a conference. It was a battleground I felt I had to see. I really would love to visit Springfield and to be a little closer to Lincoln’s roots. I’ve been thinking a bit more about my experience with his personal items at the Reagan Library and the way the crowd was so somber and respectful. I think we all have a sense that this was a man of tremendous strength and character. And time hasn’t tarnished that image, it has only been made stronger. I can’t think of many figures we admire like that. And thank you for the excellent website link, too, Penny. There is so much to learn at every turn!
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I still need to visit Gettysburg, Debra, and you remind me of this with your words. Springfield would be a great place to go when Karina and Sophia are a little older. New Salem is a great spot to explore a prairie settlement, and where Lincoln lived, then Springfield with all the Lincoln attractions, including the library, which is very child friendly. I loved your post on the Reagan library and the Lincoln exhibit there. Thank goodness for these presidential libraries. They are repositories of so many historical artifacts and papers. I have a photo I took of the Adams library in Quincy right behind me on a shelf.
You are very welcome.
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I do so hope it is still being taught/ I remember reciting it too, but I don’t think that’s still being done much in school.
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I don’t think it is as much, either, Sallie, which is to bad, however, children are learning so many other things we never learned. I hope a balance is reached.
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