Gettysburg National Cemetery

Address:Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Tel: (717) 334-1124

Memorialize the victims of one of the bloodiest battles in world history at the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, home to the remains of 6,000 American soldiers, from the Mexican-American War to the present. The cemetery, with its lush green grounds, provides opportunities for solemn reflection and learning about the Union and Confederate soldiers buried at the site.

In July 1863, Union forces under General George Meade and Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. When the dust settled, each side had lost roughly 23,000 men. The Gettysburg National Cemetery was officially dedicated on November 19, 1863, in a ceremony at which President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, his most famous speech, and one of the most quoted speeches in United States history.

The graves at the Gettysburg National Cemetery are organized in a series of semi-circles, with two separate sections for unknown soldiers and one section for the regular army. There are numerous monuments in the cemetery, including the New York Monument, the first statue to Major General John F. Reynolds, the "Friend to Friend Memorial" in the National Cemetery Annex, and the monument to Lincoln's address. The Soldiers National Monument, designed to promote the Union's victory and the valor of the fallen soldiers, is located at the center of the cemetery. A good time to visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery is the Saturday closest to November 19, Remembrance Day, in order to mark the dedication of the cemetery. After their experience at the Gettysburg National Cemetery, visitors can find a wide variety of restaurants within easy walking distance, including fast food and Chinese cuisine.

To get to the Gettysburg National Cemetery, take US Route 15 and turn north onto Taneytown Road.

Visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery and pay tribute to fallen heroes of the Union.