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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (1882-1945) [Press release of speech delivered on Memorial Day at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03352 Author/Creator: Roosevelt, Franklin D. (1882-1945) Place Written: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Type: Typed document signed Date: 30 May 1934 Pagination: 2 p. ; 34 x 18 cm. Order a Copy

Signed at end as President. Speech mentions the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg and Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. Stresses the importance of uniting the country. Gives particular attention to the part played by George Washington as Continental Commander-in-Chief, president of the Constitutional Convention, and President of the United States. Calls upon Americans to heal "ancient passions" and not to begrudge benefits to other regions and individuals. Marked "Confidential until Released," by Stephen Early, Assistant Secretary to the President.

Roosevelt delivered this speech on Memorial Day on the Gettysburg battlefield to a crowd estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000. He was the first Democrat chief executive to speak at the battlefield as per newspaper clippings on file.

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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