‘Four score and seven years ago’ are the famous opening words of the Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863. These words have echoed through history as a call to unity, liberty, and the enduring principles upon which the United States was founded. The phrase itself means ’87 years ago,’ referring back to 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Understanding the context, impact, and legacy of this speech provides deeper insight into American history, the Civil War, and the evolving idea of equality in a democratic society.
The Meaning Behind the Phrase
Breaking Down ‘Four Score and Seven’
The term ‘score’ was once a common way to count in groups of 20. Therefore, ‘four score’ equals 80, and ‘seven’ adds up to 87. Lincoln used this poetic and somewhat biblical-sounding expression to refer to 1776, the year America declared independence from Britain. This was a deliberate rhetorical choice to evoke a sense of solemnity and historical weight, linking the sacrifices of the Civil War to the ideals expressed in the founding documents of the United States.
Reference to the Declaration of Independence
By mentioning 1776, Lincoln reminded his audience of the nation’s founding principles liberty, equality, and the belief that all men are created equal. In doing so, he redefined the Civil War not just as a fight to preserve the Union, but as a moral crusade to uphold the core values of American democracy. This interpretation became a turning point in how the war was understood and is a key reason the speech remains so powerful today.
Historical Context of the Gettysburg Address
The Battle of Gettysburg
Lincoln gave the speech during the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War had taken place just a few months earlier in July 1863. The Union victory at Gettysburg marked a major turning point in the war. It was fitting, therefore, for Lincoln to honor the fallen soldiers with words that reasserted the purpose of their sacrifice.
The Nation at a Crossroads
The United States in 1863 was a deeply divided nation. The Civil War had dragged on for more than two years, and both the Union and the Confederacy had suffered heavy casualties. Morale was low, and questions remained about the ultimate meaning and purpose of the war. Lincoln’s address helped redefine that purpose, giving moral clarity to a conflict that had claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
Key Themes of the Speech
Equality and Freedom
Lincoln’s emphasis on the principle that ‘all men are created equal’ elevated the Civil War to a struggle for human rights. This was a significant shift in the Union’s official war goals, especially after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation earlier that year, which had declared freedom for enslaved people in Confederate-held territories.
National Unity
The phrase ‘a new birth of freedom’ suggested that the country could emerge from the war stronger and more united, shedding the sin of slavery and recommitting to the ideals of the Constitution. Lincoln envisioned a redefined nation that would live up to the promise of democracy and equal rights for all its citizens.
Democracy and Self-Government
Lincoln famously concluded the speech with a tribute to democratic governance: ‘that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.’ This line reinforces the idea that the war was a test of whether a democracy could survive internal conflict and remain true to its founding principles.
Impact and Legacy
Contemporary Reaction
At the time, the Gettysburg Address received mixed reactions. Some newspapers and political figures criticized its brevity and poetic style. However, others recognized its power and emotional resonance. Over time, the speech gained stature as one of the most important expressions of American ideals.
Influence on Later Movements
The Gettysburg Address has been cited by civil rights leaders, presidents, and educators as a foundational document in the fight for equality. Martin Luther King Jr. and others referenced Lincoln’s words when advocating for racial justice. The speech also remains a staple in American classrooms and civic ceremonies.
Memorialization
Lincoln’s brief but impactful speech has been engraved at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and continues to be studied and memorized by students across the United States. It stands as a model of eloquence, moral clarity, and national purpose.
Why the Speech Still Matters Today
A Reminder of Foundational Values
‘Four score and seven years ago’ is more than a historical reference it’s a call to remember the ideals on which the United States was built. In times of political division or social unrest, Lincoln’s message serves as a compass, pointing back to liberty, equality, and democratic governance.
Enduring Relevance in Modern Politics
The speech continues to inspire debate and reflection. What does it mean to be a nation ‘dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal’? How can democracy be preserved and strengthened? These questions are as relevant now as they were in Lincoln’s time.
Universal Appeal
Though deeply rooted in American history, the themes of the Gettysburg Address resonate globally. The idea of a government accountable to its people and committed to protecting human rights is a universal aspiration. Lincoln’s words have inspired people fighting for justice and freedom in many different parts of the world.
The phrase ‘four score and seven years ago’ introduced one of the most powerful speeches in history. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address reframed the Civil War as a struggle not only to preserve the Union but to achieve a ‘new birth of freedom’ rooted in the ideals of equality and democracy. Although the speech was just a few minutes long, its impact has endured for generations. It continues to remind Americans and the world of the values that define a just and free society. Through poetic language and moral conviction, Lincoln offered a vision of a nation that, though flawed, strives to become better, fairer, and more unified.