An Independence Day Speech by President Lincoln Marking this Holiday and Union Victory at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

On July 7, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech to mark the Independence Day holiday during the civil war (1861-1865). Lincoln was not just marking this holiday but the Union victory at Gettysburg on July 3, just days prior. Lincoln jubilantly observed to laughter and applause that “on the fourth [of July] the enemies of the declaration that all men are created equal had to turn tail and run.” 

"Hancock at Gettysburg," painted by Thure de Thulstrup, showing Pickett's Charge.

Lincoln gave a more somber remembrance of this great battle four months later.

"Fellow Citizens:

I am very glad to see you to-night. But yet I will not say I thank you for this call. But I do most sincerely thank Almighty God for the occasion on which you have called. [Cheers.] How long ago is it? Eighty odd years since, upon the Fourth day of July, for the first time in the world, a union body of representatives was assembled to declare as a self-evident truth that all men were created equal. [Cheers.]

That was the birthday of the United States of America. Since then the fourth day of July has had several very peculiar recognitions. The two most distinguished men who framed and supported that paper, including the particular declaration I have mentioned, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the one having framed it, and the other sustained it most ably in debate, the only two of the fifty-five or fifty-six who signed it, I believe, who were ever President of the United States, precisely fifty years after they put their hands to that paper it pleased the Almighty God to take away from this stage of action on the Fourth of July. This extraordinary coincidence we can understand to be a dispensation of the Almighty Ruler of Events.

Another of our Presidents, five years afterwards, was called from this stage of existence on the same day of the month, and now on this Fourth of July just past, when a gigantic rebellion has risen in the land, precisely at the bottom of which is an effort to overthrow that principle “that all men are created equal,” we have a surrender of one of their most powerful positions and powerful armies forced upon them on that very day. [Cheers.] And I see in the succession of battles in Pennsylvania, which continued three days, so rapidly following each other as to be justly called one great battle, fought on the first, second and third of July; on the fourth the enemies of the declaration that all men are created equal had to turn tail and run. [Laughter and applause.]

Gentlemen, this is a glorious theme and a glorious occasion for a speech, but I am not prepared to make one worthy of the theme and worthy of the occasion. [Cries of “go on,” and applause.] I would like to speak in all praise that is due to the many brave officers and soldiers who have fought in the cause of the Union and liberties of this country from the beginning of this war, not on occasions of success, but upon the more trying occasions of the want of success. I say I would like to speak in praise of these men, particularizing their deeds, but I am unprepared. I should dislike to mention the name of a single officer, lest in doing so I wrong some other one whose name may not occur to me. [Cheers.]

Recent events bring up certain names, gallantly prominent, but I do not want to particularly name them at the expense of others, who are as justly entitled to our gratitude as they. I therefore do not upon this occasion name a single man. And now I have said about as much as I ought to say in this impromptu manner, and if you please, I’ll take the music."

Abraham Lincoln, photographed by Alexander Gardner on November 8, 1863, 11 days before the Gettysburg Address.

Lincoln was the first of three U. S. Presidents to give an Independence Day speech during wartime. The other two were President Woodrow Wilson on July 4, 1918, and President Harry S. Truman on July 4, 1951.

The Gettysburg Address

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a short, 271 word, speech at the close of ceremonies dedicating the battlefield cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, even though he was very, very ill. Honoring a request to offer a few remarks, Lincoln memorialized the Union dead and highlighted the redemptive power of their sacrifice. Placing the common soldier at the center of the struggle for equality, Lincoln reminded his listeners of the higher purpose for which blood was shed.

ADDITIONAL READING

Abraham Lincoln Came Near Death from smallpox.

The Four Draft Versions of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.