President Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

When Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865; see entry in volume 2) made his second inaugural address, the Union was close to total victory in the Civil War (1861-65). In fact, the end of the war would occur just over a month later. Thousands of spectators stood in thick mud at the Capitol to hear the president; Washington, D.C., had endured weeks of wet spring weather.

Lincoln made many memorable speeches. His second inaugural address ranks among his most significant for two reasons. The last sentence of the speech strikes a conciliatory and reverent tone in expressing hope for "a just and lasting peace." The speech took on even greater poignancy (deep effect) in history when Lincoln was assassinated just over a month later, and just days after the end of the Civil War.

Things to remember while reading President Lincoln's second inaugural address:

President Lincoln's second inaugural address

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