Contest!

The Illinois State Library, Illinois State Archives, Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Center for the Book are co-sponsoring an essay contest!

"In November 1863, President Abraham Lincoln was invited to say “a few appropriate
remarks” to dedicate a cemetery in rural Pennsylvania, the final resting place for more
than 50,000 Americans who gave their lives during the Civil War. Facing a divided
nation, Lincoln expressed in less than 300 words that from this terrible sacrifice “this
nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the
people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Lincoln’s
Gettysburg Address became one of our nation’s most revered speeches.

Today, the nation is again divided and at war. Imagine yourself in Lincoln’s place. What
would you say to your fellow citizens to unite the country? In 300 words or less, tell
what your ideals are for a nation of freedom, democracy and equal opportunity."

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/lincolnsessay.pdf