“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.”
- February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865
- American
- Politician, lawyer
- As the 16th President of the United States, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and led the Civil War to maintain the unity of the nation.
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Quote
“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.”
Explanation
This famous opening line from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (1863) marks a reflection on the founding of the United States. The phrase “four score and seven years ago” refers to a period of 87 years, alluding to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Lincoln was using this moment to remind his audience that the nation’s foundation was rooted in the ideals of freedom and equality. The “new nation” he refers to is the United States, conceived with the vision of ensuring liberty for all its people, and dedicated to the principle that all men are created equal.
The phrase has deep historical significance, as it encapsulates the core values of the American Revolution and the mission to establish a nation that would transcend old systems of inequality. Lincoln’s reference to these ideals came during the Civil War, when the nation was embroiled in a struggle over slavery and the preservation of the Union. His speech directly linked the Civil War to the fulfillment of the promises made by the nation’s founders, particularly the abolition of slavery and the pursuit of equality for all.
In contemporary times, this line continues to resonate as a touchstone for American identity and values. It has become a foundational expression of the nation’s democratic ideals, often quoted in political speeches and civil rights movements. The commitment to equality and freedom remains a goal for many social and political efforts worldwide, demonstrating how Lincoln’s words continue to shape the ideals of justice and equality well beyond the Civil War era.
