Who wrote this, where does it come from and what does it mean?

One of the most famous speeches in American History

51,000 casualties at Gettysburg (killed, wounded, captured, and missing)

David Wills Invitation to the President to come to Gettysburg “...a few appropriate remarks.” for cemetery dedication

The White House The War Department “...his public duties are so pressing...” Gen. Meade at the Rappahannock... Selecting commanders for USCT... Efforts to invade Texas... Dispute with Gen. Rosencrans... Gen. Burnside’s retreat to Knoxville... Gen. Sherman on the march... Attempted retaking of Ft. Sumter... Gen. Grant ready Transcontinental railroad issues... Sensitive diplomatic affairs... Preparation of message to Congress... Key elections in Maryland... Visits from state government officials... Public order in Louisiana... Developing Reconstruction plans...

 On November 19, 1863 Lincoln was asked to make a speech dedicating a cemetery on a portion of the battlefield.  Edward Everett, politician from MA, spoke for nearly two hours. Lincoln spoke for a little over two minutes.  15,000 people attended the dedication.  Lincoln’s speech attempted to bring meaning to the war and all of the death it had brought.

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What would the President say?

Fewer than 300 words Only 9 sentences Less than 3 minutes video

 Although public reaction  to the speech was divided  along partisan lines,  eventually the Address was  recognized for its greatness  and poetry.  Today, the Gettysburg  Address is universally  recognized as one of the  most moving expressions of  the democratic spirit ever  spoken. 

 Myth: President Lincoln wrote the speech on the back of an envelope.  Myth: President Lincoln wrote the speech on the train from D.C. to Gettysburg.  Myth: The cemetery was complete when the dedication took place.  Myth: President Lincoln thought his speech was a failure.  Myth: The audience at Gettysburg was disappointed by the short speech.

 Create Wordle of Gettysburg Address From your Wordle what are the key concepts and frequently repeated words? With a partner translate passages of Address

 As Newsweek columnist Anna Quindlen noted, “Honest Abe was a techie.” He keenly supported the spread of telegraph lines and railroads, the era’s new technology, across the country and used the telegraph to communicate with his generals. If s and text-messaging were around in 1860, he would have made good use of both.  rewrite the Gettysburg Address as a text message.

If you look at the Wordle, the larger and bolder words are the ones that are repeated most often: Nation — 5 times Dedicated — 4 times + Dedicate 2 times People — 3 times Great — 3 times Some words not shown on the Wordle: We — 10 times Here — 8 times Let’s examine some of these key repeated words and concepts Great: stressing the importance of the moment and the events taking place in the country New: by using this word, Lincoln is saying that the nation could start over Here: history always has a place and in this case it is the battlefield of Gettysburg Nation: emphasizing the importance of having a unified nation People: President Lincoln used this word to say that THE PEOPLE is what this is all about We: again stressing that WE are ONE NATION and that we are all in this together Dedicated: the essential attitude Consecrated: this is sacred ground (especially since they are in a cemetery) Devotion: our commitment to freedom Dead: Lincoln reminds us of the grim aspects of the Civil War Living: indicating that what we do with our lives makes a difference But: by this simple word, Lincoln states that there can be a change in direction Cannot: not everything is possible