“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 died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
“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 died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
What this quote means
Lincoln calls for renewed devotion so sacrifice leads to freedom and lasting government by the people.
Gettysburg Address
A brief address on sacrifice, equality, and self-government
Delivered on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, the Gettysburg Address honored those who died at Gettysburg and called the living to continue their unfinished work. In a few sentences, Lincoln connected the war to the Declaration of Independence, a new birth of freedom, and the survival of government by the people.
About Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) was the sixteenth president of the United States. He led the country through the Civil War, opposed the expansion of slavery, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and argued that the nation must fulfill its founding promise of equality. His speeches and letters are known for their moral clarity, plain language, and enduring reflections on liberty and democratic government.
Words on freedom, equality, and democratic purpose
More from Gettysburg Address
“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 for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.”
“The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”
“The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”
“The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.”
“The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.”