Lincoln's address starts with “Four score and seven years ago
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address is a speech that U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivered during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, four and a half months after …
What did Abraham Lincoln say four score and seven years ago?
Abraham Lincoln: 'Four score and seven years ago', Gettysburg Address - 1863. 19 November 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA. Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
What does 4 score and 7 years ago mean?
Lincoln's address starts with “Four score and seven years ago.” A score is equal to 20 years, so he was referencing 87 years ago — 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Instead, the biggest speech belonged to Edward Everett, who spoke for two hours before Lincoln took the podium.
How many years ago does Lincoln reference in his speech?
Lincoln's address starts with “Four score and seven years ago.” A score is equal to 20 years, so he was referencing 87 years ago — 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Instead, the biggest speech belonged to Edward Everett, who spoke for two hours before Lincoln took the podium. Click to see full answer.
Why do we say “a score” instead of “ eighty seven”?
Because, as befitted the address he was delivering, it was a more oratorical and poetic, way of saying eighty-seven. And people then understood the term “a score” to mean twenty. Nineteenth century speech was generally more complex, exacting and nuanced than what we experience today.
What is the opening four words of Lincoln's Gettysburg address?
What was Lincoln's language subject called?
Was Lincoln a good orator?
About this website
What is the opening four words of Lincoln's Gettysburg address?
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address contained an opening four words which will be forever remembered. Even at that time “four score and seven” was an archaic, but nevertheless precise way, of saying “87”. But in terms of oratory it was far superior.
What was Lincoln's language subject called?
In Lincoln’s day there was a language subject called rhetoric. It was and is the study if persuasive use of language. You test the quality of your rhetoric in debates. So: four score and seven grabs the ear and the memory a lot better than eighty seven.
Was Lincoln a good orator?
Lincoln was a decent orator, and “Four score and seven” is a prettier expression than “eighty-seven.” It is the entry point of the Gettysburg Address, which, whatever else you can say about it, is a beautiful piece of oratory.
What is the opening four words of Lincoln's Gettysburg address?
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address contained an opening four words which will be forever remembered. Even at that time “four score and seven” was an archaic, but nevertheless precise way, of saying “87”. But in terms of oratory it was far superior.
What was Lincoln's language subject called?
In Lincoln’s day there was a language subject called rhetoric. It was and is the study if persuasive use of language. You test the quality of your rhetoric in debates. So: four score and seven grabs the ear and the memory a lot better than eighty seven.
Was Lincoln a good orator?
Lincoln was a decent orator, and “Four score and seven” is a prettier expression than “eighty-seven.” It is the entry point of the Gettysburg Address, which, whatever else you can say about it, is a beautiful piece of oratory.
