Gettysburg Address
Definition
The Gettysburg Address is a speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of Soldiers' National Cemetery in November 1863 following Battle of Gettysburg. In it, Lincoln redefined the purpose of war as not just preserving union but also bringing equality to all citizens.
Analogy
Imagine you're at your school assembly after winning an important competition against rival schools. Your principal gives an inspiring speech about how this victory isn't just about beating rivals but also about fostering unity and respect among students - that's what Lincoln did with his address.
Related terms
Abraham Lincoln: The 16th president of United States who led America through its Civil War—its bloodiest war and perhaps its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis.
Emancipation Proclamation: An executive order issued by President Lincoln in 1862 that declared all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be set free.
Soldiers' National Cemetery: A cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where many Union soldiers who died at the Battle of Gettysburg are buried.
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