Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg, PA, United States

Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is one of the most hallowed and historically significant sites in the United States. It preserves the landscape of the Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863—widely considered the turning point of the American Civil War.

This Union victory ended Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s ambitious invasion of the North and marked the “High Water Mark of the Rebellion”. Spanning over 6,000 acres, the park includes the battlefield itself, the Gettysburg National Cemetery, and numerous monuments, markers, and memorials—more than 1,300 in total—honoring those who fought and died there.

It was also the site where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his iconic Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, redefining the purpose of the war and the meaning of American democracy2. Visitors can begin their journey at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, which features immersive exhibits, the restored 1884 Cyclorama painting of Pickett’s Charge, and a powerful short film titled A New Birth of Freedom.

The park also offers ranger-led programs, living history demonstrations, and self-guided or licensed battlefield tours that bring the past vividly to life1. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a student, or simply someone seeking to understand the cost of freedom, Gettysburg offers a profound and moving experience. It’s not just a battlefield—it’s a place of remembrance, reflection, and learning.