The Historical Association: How Gettysburg has shaped American History, and vice versa

This Historical Association lecture explores why Gettysburg holds such a distinctive place in American memory. Adam Smith considers how the battlefield has been remembered and revisited over time, including its association with presidents, foreign leaders, and generations of American visitors who have treated it as a place of pilgrimage.

The talk also examines Gettysburg as an idea, not just a location: a site made famous by Abraham Lincoln’s address and one that has come to symbolise the American project. It offers an opportunity to reflect on how America has seen itself over the last century and a half, and how that self-image has been shaped by this landmark event and place.

The event is in person and also available on Zoom.