GETTYSBURG, Pa., Aug. 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Late August means college students are returning to campuses around the U.S., but at Gettysburg College, there is a tradition that brings attention to the most famous speech in American history.
In 1863, Gettysburg College students walked with President Lincoln to the newly opened Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
On August 28, faculty, staff, students and community members escorted the 726 first-year students at the college through the streets of historic Gettysburg, recreating the original procession. This year's walk comes less than a year after the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's speech.
A student started the First-Year Walk tradition in 2003, and the incoming class takes the two-mile round trip every August during orientation.
Upon arrival at the National Cemetery at Gettysburg National Military Park, Ian Isherwood, Assistant Director at the College's Civil War Institute and 2000 Gettysburg College graduate, delivered a reading of the address and accompanying remarks.
At the end of his speech, Isherwood asked the Class of 2018, "What cause will you nobly advance? Please consider this question for its difficulty, for the challenge it poses to your life choices, and for its intimidating unselfishness. For like Lincoln, we also have unfinished work – we also have great tasks remaining before us – and to confront these tasks we need the wisdom and leadership of a noble generation."
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