Dedication Day – Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address

November 19, the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address and the Dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery, was formally designated as Dedication Day, by a joint resolution of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, on November 19, 1946. Each year since 1938, the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania has commemorated Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and rededicated Gettysburg National Cemetery where Lincoln spoke on this date. Today, co-sponsors with the Lincoln Fellowship include the Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg Foundation, and Gettysburg College.

The day’s events begin at 10:15 a.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Soldiers’ National Monument, followed by the Dedication Day Program at the rostrum in the Gettysburg National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. The Gettysburg Address is recited, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service holds a naturalization ceremony for citizen candidates.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Allen Guelzo, author of award-winning books on Civil War history, current scholar at Princeton University, and former Director of Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College.

Presidential historian Jon Meacham joins as the presenter of the Gettysburg Address and keynote speaker at the Lincoln Fellowship Annual Meeting and Luncheon following the ceremony.

Dedication Day is the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address and happens every year in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery on November 19. This is not to be confused with Remembrance Day, Gettysburg’s annual tribute to the brave soldiers who fought here. On Remembrance Day, a large parade featuring thousands of Civil War re-enactors and a luminary in the National Cemetery are held, always on the Saturday closest to Dedication Day. This year both events occur on the same day, Saturday, November 19.

The event is free to the public. Shuttle service is available from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center Lot 3 to the Cemetery Parking Lot.

Schedule of Events

An attempt to live stream this event is planned but actual conditions may make this difficult or impossible.

Attempt at a live stream of the event available here