Today in History: The Gettysburg Address
Today in History–November 19–the Library of Congress features the Gettysburg Address, delivered by Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery on this date in 1863. Edward Everett, a well-known orator, delivered a two-hour speech. President Abraham Lincoln’s speech lasted only a few minutes. As the Library notes, “In spite of Lincoln’s disclaimer that ‘the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,’ his brief speech continues to resonate in the American memory.” Learn more by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links to related primary sources & teaching resources.
Gettysburg Address resources
President Lincoln Delivered the Gettysburg Address from America’s Library
First Draft of Gettysburg Address
Gettysburg Address: Nicolay Copy
Reprints of the Gettysburg Address from the Alfred Whital Stern Collection of Lincolniana
Selection of articles about the Gettysburg Address
- “News from Gettysburg, PA. 50,000 People in Attendance” Cleveland Morning Leader (Cleveland, Ohio), November 23, 1863.
- “Gettysburg. Dedication of the National Cemetery” Daily National Republican (Washington, D.C.), November 20, 1863.
- “Dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg” Fremont Journal (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio), November 27, 1863
Gettysburg Address online exhibition
Correspondence related to the Gettysburg Address
- David Wills to Abraham Lincoln Monday, November 02, 1863 (Invitation to attend the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg and make a few appropriate remarks) – transcription
- Edward Everett to Abraham Lincoln Friday, November 20, 1863
- Abraham Lincoln to Edward Everett Friday, November 20, 1863 (Gettysburg Address) – transcription
- Julia K. Fish to Abraham Lincoln 1863 (Requests manuscript of Gettysburg Address for sale and New York Sanitary Fair) – transcription
- Edward Everett to Abraham Lincoln Saturday, January 30, 1864 (Gettysburg Address) – transcription
- Abraham Lincoln to Edward Everett Thursday, February 04, 1864 (Manuscript copy of Gettysburg Address) – transcription
- John P. Kennedy to William H. Seward Friday, March 04, 1864 (Autograph copy of Gettysburg Address) – transcription
- Alexander Bliss to John G. Nicolay Monday, March 07, 1864 (Autograph copy of Gettysburg Address) – transcription
- Miller & Mathews to Abraham Lincoln Wednesday, March 23, 1864 (Send printed copies of Gettysburg Address) – transcription
Books and other texts related to the Gettysburg Address
Gettysburg Address sound recordings
- W.F. Hooley reading the Gettysburg Address 1898
- Harry E. Humphrey reciting the Gettysburg Address 1914
Video recordings related to the Gettysburg Address
- The Gettysburg Address (approximate run time 2 minutes) transcript
- 273 Words to a New America (approximate run time 3 minutes)
- Douglas Wilson – Lincoln’s Sword: The Presidency and the Power of Words streaming webcast (run time 58 minutes)
Modern-day legislation related to the Gettysburg Address
Senator Dick Durbin speaking on the Senate floor about the Gettysburg Address November 18, 2021
Library blog posts related to the Gettysburg Address
- Recite the Gettysburg Address Library of Congress, November 12, 2013
- Dedicated to the Great Task: Remembering and Studying Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address Teaching with the Library of Congress, November 15, 2013
- Inquiring Minds: Commemorating the Gettysburg Address with Author Jonathan Hennessey Library of Congress, November 19, 2013
Teaching resources
- Gettysburg Address Game On modular lesson
- Gettysburg Address Image Sequencing activity
- Where Do I Run to? Where Do I Hide? activity
Related resources
- Gettysburg image set
- Today in History: Battle of Gettysburg background information and primary sources