the gettysburg address essay contest

Soldiers National Cemetery © Abraham Lincoln Online Gettysburg, Pennsylvania November 19, 1863 On June 1, 1865, Senator Charles Sumner referred to the most famous speech ever given by President Abraham Lincoln. In his eulogy on the slain president, he called the Gettysburg Address a monumental act. He said Lincoln was mistaken that the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here. Rather, the Bostonian remarked, The world noted at once what he said, and will never cease to remember it. The battle itself was less important than the speech. There are five known copies of the speech in Lincoln's handwriting, each with a slightly different text, and named for the people who first received them: Nicolay, Hay, Everett, Bancroft and Bliss. Two copies apparently were written before delivering the speech, one of which probably was the reading copy. The remaining ones were produced months later for soldier benefit events. Despite widely-circulated stories to the contrary, the president did not dash off a copy aboard a train to Gettysburg. Lincoln carefully prepared his major speeches in advance; his steady, even script in every manuscript is consistent with a firm writing surface, not the notoriously bumpy Civil War-era trains. Additional versions of the speech appeared in newspapers of the era, feeding modern-day confusion about the authoritative text. Bliss Copy Ever since Lincoln wrote it in 1864, this version has been the most often reproduced, notably on the walls of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. It is named after Colonel Alexander Bliss, stepson of historian George Bancroft. Bancroft asked President Lincoln for a copy to use as a fundraiser for soldiers (see Bancroft Copy below). However, because Lincoln wrote on both sides of the paper, the speech could not be reprinted, so Lincoln made another copy at Bliss's request. It is the last known copy.
Abraham Lincoln and Leadership Summer Institute Scholarships Illinois high school sophomore and juniors may apply for one-week workshops and the four-week institute at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Abraham Lincoln Association Student Award Designed for middle and high school students, this award is for the best research paper and media project about Lincoln submitted to the annual Illinois History Exposition. Civil War Essay Contest Certain New York City high school students may apply for this contest co-sponsored by the Civil War Round Table of New York and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Civil War Institute Scholarships This popular summer event in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has a limited number of scholarships for junior and senior high school students and high school teachers. Gettysburg Essay Contest This annual contest, sponsored by the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania, is open to high school sophomores and juniors and includes a vacation to Gettysburg. Gilder Lehrman Summer Seminars for Teachers These stimulating week-long seminars for high school teachers include topics on Lincoln and the Civil War. Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize Created to encourage young scholars, this annual prize sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association is funded by Abraham Lincoln Institute and the Gilder Lehrman Institute. Lincoln Fellowships Annual week-long program on American politics and political thought for young professionals, sponsored by the Claremont Institute. Lincoln Forum Essay Contest The Platt Family Essay Contest of the Lincoln Forum gives annual prizes for the best Lincoln essay written by American undergraduate college and university students. Presidential Academy for American History and Civics Secondary school teachers may apply for a study of the turning points in American history as seen in the Declaration of Independence.
Go to related Opinion piece » We honor the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address this month by matching it with two opinion pieces that offer opposing perspectives on the legacy of Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech. In this Text to Text, one author celebrates how far we have come since the Civil War; the other bemoans how divided we still are. Background: One hundred and fifty years ago this month, President Abraham Lincoln addressed the nation at the site where the Civil War’s deadliest battle had occurred. In just 272 words that took him a bit more than two minutes to deliver, Lincoln declared: Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have.
This might make you feel better. At a time of fractured Democracy and distrust of government that often leads to feelings of hopelessness and cynicism, an Upper Dublin High School student and winner of a statewide speech contest offers words of wisdom for the state, nation and world to live by. Upper Darby High School 11th-grader Lauren Pyfer delivered her award-winning speech during ceremonies in Gettysburg Tuesday marking the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The contest called for a contemporary speech reflecting Lincoln themes in as many words (270) or less.Here's what Lauren wrote. Global Address Our Founding Fathers planted a durable seed for a nation with incredible potential—a nation that has and will thrive through the test of time.The genetics of this seed remain unchanged, comprised of values providing equality, fairness, and opportunity for every individual. The soil and landscape for this seed will evolve. It is up to each and every one of us now, not only as citizens of our fifty states, but as citizens of the world, to nurture and preserve the rights of humanity, equality, and freedom across all nations. Our citizens have sacrificed their lives throughout the world to protect our freedom, and preserve human and economic harmony. Let’s not forget their sacrifices. Let’s open our arms to our heroes and support them and their families, emotionally and economically, so they can reenter society with dignity and with pride. Always keep in mind, that our landscape is global. Science and technology have advanced knowledge, communication, and tools, including weapons. Protecting one nation requires keeping the world in balance. It is impossible for one country to close its doors to other countries and still thrive. The seed of liberty planted by our Founding Fathers deserves great care from each of us. Expect liberty and fairness for.