The Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, is a pivotal speech in American history. Lincoln's address redefined the Civil War as a struggle for human equality, and its impact is still felt today. The speech's significance lies in its assertion that the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution, was the true expression of the Founding Fathers' intentions. Lincoln's historic address has become a symbol of reconciliation and reunion between North and South, and its message continues to inspire Americans to this day. [... more]

General Daniel Sickles, a colorful character in American history, left a trail of unpaid bills, broken romances, and political scandals. He served as a soldier, politician, and diplomat, and was involved in several controversies, including the killing of Philip Barton Key and his subsequent acquittal on temporary insanity. Sickles went on to become a major general in the Civil War and was instrumental in the preservation of Gettysburg as a national historic site. [... more]

The story of the Compromise of 1850, a pivotal moment in American history, where the nation teetered on the edge of civil war over the expansion of slavery. Gettysburg National Park Service Ranger John Hoptak recounts the events leading up to the compromise, including the debates in Congress, the roles of key figures such as Zachary Taylor, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster, and the ultimate passage of the compromise, which admitted California as a free state, strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, and allowed New Mexico to decide for itself whether to allow slavery. [... more]

President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was a pivotal moment in American history, redefining the Civil War as a struggle for human equality. The speech was given on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where over 80,000 casualties occurred during the bloodiest battle of the war. Lincoln's address, lasting just 269 words, called for a new birth of freedom and a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, which would not perish from the earth. [... more]

During World War II, the US government moved its most important documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, to Fort Knox for safekeeping. The documents were later moved to the National Archives, where they were enshrined in a ceremony led by President Harry Truman. The story highlights the efforts of individuals like Archibald MacLeish and Harry Neal to protect these historical relics and ensure their ideas continue to inspire future generations. [... more]

National Park Service Ranger Dan Vermilia shares the story of how Gettysburg impacted General Dwight D. Eisenhower's leadership, from his early life interacting with Civil War veterans to his later years as Supreme Allied Commander. Eisenhower's experiences at Gettysburg shaped his views on accountability, character, and the importance of learning from the past to inform the present. [... more]

Alonzo Cushing, a Union Artillery Officer, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 151 years after his heroic deeds during the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. His bravery and dedication to his duty are a testament to the sacrifices made by American soldiers. [... more]

Abraham Lincoln's Cooper Union speech, delivered in 1860, is a powerful argument against the notion that the Founding Fathers intended for slavery to expand in America. Lincoln's speech, which has been largely overlooked by history, presents a compelling case that the Founding Fathers were forward-thinking visionaries who attacked slavery as a moral wrong. Through his research and evidence, Lincoln demonstrates that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were designed to be great freedom documents and weapons against tyranny. [... more]

Charleston, South Carolina, was the site of the first Memorial Day, where 10,000 African American freed slaves honored the Union dead who fell at the Washington Race Course prisoner of war camp. The event, which took place on May 1st, 1865, was a procession and ceremony to remember the 257 Union soldiers who died in the camp, and it marked the beginning of a day of remembrance that would become known as Memorial Day. [... more]

Dan Sickles, a colorful Civil War general, shot and killed his wife's lover, sparking a sensational trial. He successfully used the temporary insanity defense and went on to become a prominent figure in the war, raising a brigade and being promoted to Major General. After being wounded at Gettysburg, Sickles had his leg amputated and later donated it to the Army Medical Museum. He also played a key role in preserving the Gettysburg battlefield. [... more]

Dan Sickles, a colorful and impulsive general, defied description with his scandalous life, marked by graft, politics, and a passionate side for the ladies. He shot and killed his wife's lover, Philip Barton Key, and was acquitted due to temporary insanity. Despite his questionable actions, Sickles became a hero during the Civil War, raising a brigade and fighting at Gettysburg, where he was wounded and lost a leg. He later preserved the battlefield and had a monument built in his honor. [... more]

The Civil War was a pivotal moment in American history, with Abraham Lincoln's leadership and Ulysses S. Grant's military strategy ultimately leading to the defeat of the Confederacy and the abolition of slavery. The war's turning point came at Gettysburg, where Lincoln delivered his iconic Gettysburg Address, redefining the purpose of the war and the principles of American democracy. As the war drew to a close, Grant's relentless pursuit of Lee's army and Sherman's March through the South brought the Confederacy to its knees, ultimately leading to Lee's surrender and the end of the war. [... more]

General Robert E. Lee's life after surrendering at Appomattox is a story of reconciliation and personal example. He tries to reunite the nation, submits to the government's policy, and even welcomes General Grant to his home, showing absolute loyalty to the allegiance he swore when he laid down his arms. [... more]

The Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, was a pivotal moment in American history. Lincoln's speech redefined the Civil War as a struggle for human equality and a more just and free nation, inspiring hundreds of thousands of Americans to fight and die for the Union. [... more]

Robert E. Lee, a complex and beloved general, made a series of decisions that would alter the course of his life and history. He rejected command of the Union Army and resigned from the military, citing his inability to raise his sword against his native state of Virginia. However, Lee's motivations were more nuanced, and he was driven by a desire to preserve his family's property and protect his relatives in Virginia. As the war progressed, Lee became a key figure in the Confederate Army, leading his troops in a series of battles, including the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg. Despite his military successes, Lee's ultimate defeat at Gettysburg marked a turning point in the war, and the Confederacy's fortunes began to decline. [... more]

The Civil War was a pivotal moment in American history, with Abraham Lincoln's leadership and Ulysses S. Grant's military strategy ultimately leading to the defeat of the Confederacy and the reunification of the country. The war was a brutal and devastating conflict that resulted in the deaths of over 620,000 soldiers and the emancipation of four million enslaved African Americans. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered in 1863, is one of the most iconic speeches in American history, and his commitment to ending slavery and preserving the Union is a testament to his enduring legacy. [... more]

Alonzo Cushing, a Union Artillery Officer, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 151 years after his heroic deeds at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. His bravery and sacrifice are finally being recognized for their significance in American history. [... more]

National Park Service Ranger Dan Vermelea shares the story of how Gettysburg impacted General Dwight D Eisenhower's leadership, from his early life interacting with Civil War veterans to his experiences as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, and how he drew lessons from the past to inform his decisions, including his calm and calculated approach to D-Day and his emphasis on accountability and character. [... more]

Dan Sickles, a colorful Civil War General, defies description with his impulsive and amoral nature. He lived a fast life, accumulating fortunes and loving society, but his actions often landed him in trouble, including shooting and killing his wife's lover, Philip Barton Key. Despite his scandalous past, Sickles rose to prominence during the war, becoming a brigadier general and raising a brigade. He also played a key role in preserving the Gettysburg battlefield and was reelected to Congress at the age of 74. [... more]

In Charleston, South Carolina, a group of African Americans, freed slaves, and Union soldiers came together to honor the Union dead who fell at the Washington race course prisoner of war camp. They organized a procession and ceremony, laying flowers on the graves of the 257 Union soldiers who died in the camp. This event, which took place on May 1st, 1865, is considered to be the first Memorial Day in the United States, and it marked a significant moment in American history as African Americans came together to remember and honor the sacrifices of their fellow soldiers. [... more]