Where did Abraham Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg Address in 1863?

Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, now called Gettysburg National Cemetery, on November 19, 1863. The ceremony took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The cemetery was created for Union soldiers who died during the Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863. Lincoln’s brief address followed a much longer speech by Edward Everett and reflected on the war’s meaning, the Declaration of Independence, and the future of representative government.

The traditional popular image places Lincoln on a platform inside the national cemetery. Historical research, however, indicates that the exact platform stood just across the fence in Evergreen Cemetery. The address was still delivered as part of the dedication ceremony for the Soldiers’ National Cemetery.

Lincoln’s speech became famous for its compact length and its statement that the nation should remain committed to equality and democratic government. The event helped turn the cemetery dedication into one of the most remembered moments in American history.