Abraham Lincoln gave a speech at the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery on November 19, 1863. He began by noting that the soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Gettysburg had already consecrated the land. Lincoln then stated that the living must dedicate themselves to continuing the unfinished work of these soldiers and ensuring that their sacrifices were not made in vain by strengthening their commitment to liberty, equality, and a government of the people. He concluded by invoking a shared vision of a new birth of freedom that would ensure the survival of this nation.

1. Gettysburg Cemetery Dedication Abraham Lincoln 11/19/1863