1. The Gettysburg Address By Abraham Lincoln Presented November 19th, 1863 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
2. November 19, 1863 In July of 1863, a small town in Pennsylvania called Gettysburgwas the sight of a devastating battle.Those who gave their lives in this battle were honored through the establishment of a large cemetery. The cemetery was dedicated in November of that year. A famous speaker named Edward Everett spoke for 2 hours. He compared the Union forces to the Roman and Greek heroes of old. He raised his voice and pounded the podium to emphasize his points. At last, he left the stage.
3. November 19, 1863 Then, a tall, homely man rose from his seat. He walked quietly to the podium, and spoke 272 words that Americans never forgot.
4. Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, Hold up 4 fingers, then 7 fingers Do a soldier pose andhold hands out to give Point to ground Sign “U,” “S,” “A”
5. Cross two arms with “L”s and swing them away from your bodyfor “liberty” conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Pound left fist into right hand, then right fist into left hand Hold your pointer fingers parallel to forman “equals” sign
6. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation,or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. Pat chest with both palms Draw imaginary sword Stroke chin with hand Pound left fist into right hand, then right fist into left hand Take a deep breath
7. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. Stretch arms away from body to show the great field Shape hands to showa small portion Head on handsasif to sleep Make giving motion with hands Raise two “L”s up body to sign “live”
8. Pull on imaginary overallstraps to show “fitting” It is altogether fitting and proper thatwe should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. Make “okay” symbolwith hands Move outstretchedfists toward ground Move outstretchedpalms towardground Circle outstretchedpalms aboveground
9. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. Pose as a brave man Pretend to struggle Move outstretchedpalms towardground Make giving and taking motions with hands
10. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. Tap head with index finger Stretch hands to show long Shake head “no” andmake “never” motionwith arms and hands
11. It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. Point to self Move outstretchedfists toward ground Draw imaginary sword Take a noblestep forward
12. Move outstretchedfists towardground It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us —that from these honored deadwe take increased devotion to the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion Show “greattask” with hands Lay hands gentlyon heart Motion arms downbody and bow head
13. —that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain —that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom Point index finger to show a good idea Shake head “no” and wipe hand away to show something didn’t work Point up to heaven Cross two arms with “f”s and swing them away from yourbody for “freedom”
14. —and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth. Point to groundwith index fingersto show “this” Count 1, 2, 3 on fingersas say each point Shake head “no” andmake “never” motionwith arms and hands
