The occasion was the dedication of the Soldiers Cemetery on the grounds of the Battle of Gettysburg. In his speech, Lincoln said that the United States would continue to fight so that the whole world could enjoy freedom and equality. Lincoln's speech lasted only two minutes, and contained only 272 words. Yet even Everett agreed that Lincoln's speech had expressed the sentiments of the occasion more effectively. This occasion was an important opportunity for the President to honor all those who had given their lives during the Battle.
Many historians consider it one of the turning points of the War.
The Union North and Confederate South lost more than 7,000 men during the three-day battle. David Wills, a Gettysburg civic leader, proposed a National Soldier Cemetery in Gettysburg. Pennsylvania governor, Andrew Curtin agreed to the idea and put Wills in charge of the planning. The Soldiers National Cemetery was originally to be the final resting place for more than 3,500 Union soldiers who lost their lives at Gettysburg. Now more than 7,000 soldiers from all America's major wars are buried there.