Spielberg to give keynote address on Dedication Day
By Kate Higgins, Contributing Writer
Photo from Getty Images.
Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg was selected as this years keynote speaker at the observance commemorating the 149th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, which is highly regarded as one of the best presidential speeches in history. The ceremony will be held on Nov. 19 at the Solders’ National Cemetery at 10a.m..
As the top-grossing director of all time, famous for movies blockbusters E.T. and Jaws, along with his academy award, Spielberg, with the exception of Lincoln himself, is perhaps the most famous keynote speaker to be honored with this privilege. A large crowd of Spielberg supporters, as well as Civil War enthusiasts, will surely make for a historic attendance.
The famous director’s visit coincides rather flawlessly with the release of his newest film, “Lincoln,” on Nov. 16. This highly anticipated movie was written by Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner and adapted from Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Lincoln biography, “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” The highly publicized movie is projected to be another box office hit.
This high-profile speaker may encourage more college students to make the trip to the annual ceremony in remembrance of the “four scores and seven years ago” speech.
The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. with a wreath laying ceremony at the Soldier’s national monument. The official commencement of the Dedication Day will begin at 10 a.m. at the rostrum, where Spielberg will make his speech. Next, following tradition, James Getty will recite the Gettysburg Address, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will hold a naturalization ceremony for 16 citizenship candidates.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend this historic event.
