In honor of today’s birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, we’ll discuss the enduring legacy of his famous Gettysburg Address from November 19, 1863. Delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA, it is one of the most revered speeches in American history. The two-minute speech is a case study in the power of brevity, clarity, and emotional resonance—qualities technical writers, historians, and public speakers can all admire. Yet, at the time, it was not universally praised. To understand why Lincoln’s words are remembered while Edward Everett’s detailed two-hour oration has largely faded from public memory, we need to consider the context, content, and cultural shifts surrounding the event.
The speech came at a critical juncture in the American Civil War. Just four months earlier, the Union army had secured a hard-won victory at Gettysburg, a turning point in the war. However, the cost was staggering: over 50,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing. The battlefield cemetery dedication ceremony was meant to honor those sacrifices and provide solace to a war-weary public.
Edward Everett, a former senator, governor, and famed orator of his time, was invited to give the main address. His speech was expected to be the centerpiece of the day, blending history, military analysis, and patriotic fervor. Lincoln’s role, by contrast, was relatively minor—he was asked to simply deliver a few “dedicatory remarks.” No one anticipated that these remarks would overshadow Everett’s polished performance.
The brilliance of the Gettysburg Address lies in its brevity. Clocking in at just 272 words, Lincoln’s speech achieved what every technical writer strives for: communicating complex ideas succinctly and powerfully.
Lincoln’s speech follows a three-part structure that is deceptively simple but deeply effective:
Each section builds on the last, guiding the listener seamlessly from past to future while addressing the profound stakes of the present.
![Photo of 1944 newspaper article “State School Children Buy Gettysburg Address Copy.” Text under image reads: "The state of Illinois acquired its copy of the Gettysburg Address in 1944 after schoolchildren across the state contributed money toward the purchase. They raised more than $50,000 and businessman Marshall Field III donated the rest of the $60,000 price [equal to $1,087,907 in 2024]." -Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum](https://www.matcgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Illinois-acquired-a-copy-of-the-Gettysburg-Address-in-1944-after-schoolchildren-in-the-state-raised-50000-toward-the-purcha.png)
Lincoln’s speech speaks to universal themes of sacrifice, equality, and democratic ideals. By focusing on the broader meaning of the war rather than the specifics of the battle, he taps into emotions that resonate far beyond the immediate audience. The use of plain yet poetic language ensures that the message is both accessible and memorable.
Lincoln’s address also has a subtle political undertone. By framing the Civil War as a test of whether a nation “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” can endure, he underscores the moral imperative of the Union cause. Without directly naming slavery, he reaffirms the principles of the Emancipation Proclamation, issued earlier that year.
In contrast, Edward Everett’s speech was a masterpiece of 19th-century oratory. Spanning over two hours, it was meticulously researched and eloquently delivered. Everett discussed the history of the battle, paid tribute to the soldiers, and wove in classical references to highlight the significance of the Union’s victory.
While Everett’s speech was undoubtedly impressive, it lacked the succinctness and emotional punch of Lincoln’s remarks. Its length made it difficult for listeners to retain or repeat key points. Moreover, its classical style, replete with references to antiquity, appealed to the educated elite but may have felt distant to the broader audience.
Everett himself later recognized Lincoln’s superior impact. In a letter to the president the following day, he wrote: “I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes.”
At the time of delivery, the Gettysburg Address received mixed reviews. Some newspapers, such as the Chicago Tribune, praised it as “deep in feeling, compact in thought and expression.” Others, like the Chicago Times, criticized it as unworthy of the occasion, calling it “silly, flat, and dishwatery.”
These polarized reactions highlight how unconventional Lincoln’s speech was for the era. Audiences were accustomed to lengthy, elaborate orations like Everett’s. Lincoln’s concise, straightforward approach defied expectations—and some people simply didn’t know what to make of it.
Over time, the Gettysburg Address gained stature for several reasons:
Today, the Gettysburg Address is celebrated as a quintessential expression of American ideals, often regarded as a defining moment in the nation’s history.
The Gettysburg Address is a masterclass in effective communication. Lincoln’s ability to distill profound ideas into a few carefully chosen words is a skill every writer, speaker, and leader can aspire to. Here are some takeaways:
Edward Everett’s speech, while impressive in its own way, serves as a reminder that depth doesn’t always require length. Sometimes, a well-crafted sentence can outshine a meticulously detailed essay.
So, the next time you’re tempted to ramble in a presentation—or add just one more slide—channel your inner Lincoln. Say what needs to be said, no more, no less. After all, history shows us that two minutes can echo for centuries.
For a deeper dive into the Gettysburg Address and its impact on U.S. and world history, visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the National Constitution Center.
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O’Toole, Natalie. “Gettysburg Address gave ‘new birth’ to democracy.” Cornell Chronicle. 7/31/14. Accessed 12/16/24. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/07/gettysburg-address-gave-new-birth-democracy
“The Gettysburg Address.” Cornell University. “Accessed 12/16/24. https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/gettysburg/ideas_more/reactions_p1.htm#
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