1 Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on 2 this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated 3 to the proposition that all men are created equal. 4 Now we are engaged in a great Civil War, testing whether that 5 nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long 6 endure. 7 We are met on a great battle-field of that war. 8 We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final 9 resting place for those who here gave their lives that that 10 nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that 11 we should do this. 12 But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not 13 consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. 14 The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have 15 consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. 16 The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, 17 but it can never forget what they did here. 18 It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the 19 unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so 20 nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to 21 the great task remaining before us - that from these honored 22 dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they 23 gave the last full measure of devotion - 24 that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have 25 died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new 26 birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the 27 people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth. 28 29 Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 30
