Where Stirring Deeds Brought Forth Immortal Words

After the Battle of Gettysburg, the fallen were buried in shallow graves on the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The reburial of Union troops from the battlefield to a new cemetery began in October, 1863. A month later, President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address as part of the dedication ceremony of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. In just over two minutes, the president tied the Civil War to the Declaration of Independence and the principles upon which the nation was founded. In making this connection President Lincoln redefined the war from one meant to save the Union to one about fundamental human equality.