Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg National Military Park

The 1863 Battle of Gettysburg was one of the largest and deadliest of the Civil War. Months later, President Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the soldiers' cemetery here.

Official visitor website

All landmarks

Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

Military History & Remembrance
Founding, Independence & Government

Why it matters

The 1863 Battle of Gettysburg was one of the largest and deadliest of the Civil War. Months later, President Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the soldiers' cemetery here.

Why it may matter to you

Lincoln's short speech describes a government "of the people, by the people, for the people" — words many new citizens learn for the civics test.

The fuller story

The Civil War was fought over slavery and the Union. After the war, how the battle was remembered was often contested, especially regarding slavery's role.

Plan your visit

Hours, prices, reservations, and closures change. Check the official visitor website.

Time to allow: A full day (our estimate)
Setting: Indoor and outdoor
Tickets and reservations: Battlefield roads are free; the museum and some tours charge fees. Check the official sites.
Getting there: A car is needed to drive the battlefield tour route.
With family: Large outdoor area; guided tours help make sense of the battlefield.
Seasons and weather: Summer is hot; anniversary events in early July bring crowds.
Accessibility: Accessibility information from the operator(opens nps.gov in a new tab)

Times are estimates and distances are straight-line. Citizen Navigator is an independent educational resource. Visitor access and conditions change. Confirm current details with the destination's official operator.