Twelve Score and Ten

Today marks the 155th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address delivered on the scarred battlefield 120 miles west of Independence Hall. Last week in Philadelphia the United States Semiquincentennial Commission met for the first time to begin planning for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Lincoln’s incomparable vision of America offers a powerful lens through which to see a way forward for the 250th commemoration.

Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg came at a time of deep political division even within the Union. The suffering of war shrouded the land with a pall of weariness. He came to commemorate the fallen and encourage rededication to the founders’ revolutionary vision for government of, by, and for the people. Our 250th commemoration must both honor and mourn our past—all 250 years—but also turn our attention to the perpetually “unfinished work” of forming a more perfect union.

Lincoln began by recalling the revolutionary ideas of liberty and equality as the founders’ living legacy. Similarly, to engage all Americans the 250th commemoration must take root in the ideas that define our individual liberty and our national identity. But in paying homage to the founders, Lincoln took a step beyond Jefferson’s declaration. He knew from personal and national experience that equality was not self-evident, but rather a “proposition,” something that required proof by testing. In the crucible of Civil War, Lincoln’s understanding of equality was expanding to include emancipated slaves. The semiquincentennial presents new possibilities for testing our understanding of and dedication to this living legacy.

In Lincoln’s appeal for a “new birth of freedom” some have heard beyond his more inclusive vision of freedom a call for national revival. Broad participation in the 250th anniversary has the potential to enlarge and revive the nation’s spirit.

For Lincoln the commemoration at Gettysburg was an opportunity to speak over the political noise of his day. His chose his words carefully—not mentioning slavery, emancipation, nor even the enemy. He used the occasion to convey a unifying message that people interpreted and continue to interpret from their diverse perspectives. The 250th presents all Americans with a similar opening. Precisely because this is America, we are free to use the occasion to speak our minds. But the semiquincentennial will have wider and enduring impact if, like Lincoln, we choose our words carefully and speak to each other above the political noise.

Lincoln closed by urging the nation to “highly resolve…that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” His words reinforce the propositional nature of the American experiment—something that requires resolve and resiliency to continually prove its vitality. He also acknowledged the global significance of American democracy. The semiquincentennial is a unique opportunity to inclusively engage all Americans in the ongoing work of representative self-government and share our experience with the world.

Shortly after applause met the rather abrupt ending of Lincoln’s brief remarks reporters streamed transcriptions over telegraph wires throughout the Union only to be mislaid for a time in discarded newsprint. But the passing down of Lincoln’s Address through recitation and study has imprinted its eloquent message on the minds of generations. The 250th will certainly include newsworthy events and employ innovative means to spread the word. Time will tell if the semiquincentennial will enrich our society by leaving lasting impressions on those Americans who plan and participate.

Brian W. Martin, Ph.D., is a Gettysburg College graduate, historian, and business leader from Rockville, MD. He represents the National Council on Public History the 250th Task Force convened by the American Association for State and Local History.