“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”
– Abraham Lincoln
during The Gettysburg Address
On Nov. 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln took the stage at the dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery to deliver these profound words as part of his Gettysburg Address—one of the most impactful speeches in U.S. history. Honoring fallen soldiers from the Civil War, he urged our nation to embrace unity.
Of the 30 U.S. presidents who have served in office since Lincoln, 23 have visited Gettysburg. Many echoed his address, using the battlefield as a backdrop to reunite the country in times of division, segregation, or crisis. Several delivered speeches on anniversaries for the Battle of Gettysburg. Some directly addressed students and faculty of the College, and others spoke during national holidays.
On July 3, 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Shortly before the start of World War II, he dedicated the Eternal Light Peace Memorial in front of nearly 2,000 Civil War veterans and 200,000 spectators. Emphasizing a united nation during increasing global tension, he stated, “Men who wore the Blue and men who wore the Grey are here together. … All of them we honor, not asking under which flag they fought then—thankful that they stand together under one flag now.”
On April 4, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered a Commencement speech at Gettysburg College, reflecting on his deep connection to the institution and its mission. Amid Cold War strains, Eisenhower argued that “freedom is indivisible.” He highlighted the importance of a liberal arts education in developing understanding and critical thinking while addressing international conflict. “Over the 127 years of Gettysburg College’s existence, its graduates have, in many ways, served the cause of freedom and of justice,” he said.
On May 30, 1963, before being elected president, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered the keynote at a Memorial Day celebration. He used Gettysburg National Cemetery to reinforce Lincoln’s message, speaking on the unfinished work of the civil rights movement. “We, the living, have not forgotten—and will never forget—the deeds or the words of Gettysburg. We honor them now… in a prayer for permanent peace of the world and fulfillment of our hopes for universal freedom and justice,” he said.
Gettysburg College acknowledges its presence in such a significant, historical place. We are committed to fostering civil discourse throughout our community. Recognizing the lasting impact of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, we remain dedicated to the “unfinished work” that he charged us to complete in 1863.
by Brooke Askin ’25
Photos courtesy of Gettysburg College Special Collections and Adams County Historical Society
Posted: 02/24/25