Even today, nearly 150 years after it was written, the Gettysburg Address is a compelling speech that draws crowds (and can cause problems in municipal settings).

It didn't make slavery illegal, as my mindlessly-Republican-bashing co-workers like to remind me at every opportunity. The Gettysberg Address destroyed slavery far more thoroughly than any mere law could, not by making it illegal, but by making it deeply unpopular, not only in the US but in all English-speaking countries around the world.

We visited the memorial last year and learned from the ranger on duty that sitting on the floor is not allowed as it could be construed as inciting a protest. We also toured the Gettysburg battlefield a few days later. It's incredible how Lincoln captured the essence of the struggle between North & South in his Gettysburg Address.