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Lincoln copy of Gettysburg Address on display

SPRINGFIELD — One of the most famous Abraham Lincoln artifacts is going on public display in Springfield.

A copy of his Gettysburg Address written in Lincoln’s own hand will be available for public viewing starting Thursday and running through November at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Lincoln gave his 272-word speech on Nov. 19, 1863, at the dedication of the National Soldiers’ Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa. A battle there four months before left more than 50,000 dead or wounded.

Lincoln wrote out five copies of the address. The version in Illinois is known as the “Edward Everett copy.” The scholar and politician also spoke at the dedication and Lincoln agreed to make him a copy.

Everett’s speech lasted two hours and was little remembered in posterity. Lincoln’s lasted two minutes.

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