Why did you have a Gettysburg Address?

Answer 1

After the Battle of Gettysburg, 7,500 dead lay rotting in the open fields. The small town of Gettysburg knew that the dead had to be buried, so they created the Soldiers National Cemetery. In October of 1863 they wished to dedicate the cemetery to the memory of the men who had died and were buried there. At the last moment, they thought to invite President Lincoln and asked him to make a few appropriate remarks. It was made clear to him that he would not be the main speaker. He agreed but couldn't make it till November 19th. So on Nov 19, 1863, speeches were made, the longest being two hours by Edward Everett, and the shortest being 2 minutes by Lincoln. Lincoln's speech is now recognized as the most famous speech in American History. As Edward Everette wrote to Lincoln the next day-"I would flatter myself if I thought I came as close to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes."