Gettysburg National Cemetery was originally called Soldiers' National Cemetery. It was created for Union soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg, which was fought July 1 to 3, 1863. It has 3,512 Civil War burials, including 979 unknowns, and later sections for veterans of other wars. In all it holds more than 6,000 burials.
On November 19, 1863, four and a half months after the battle, Abraham Lincoln came here to take part in the consecration of the cemetery. His speech has only 271 words, and he read it in less than two minutes to about 15,000 people.
Every year the day of the speech is marked in town as Remembrance Day, with a parade and ceremonies.