On November 19, 1863, at the dedication of a military cemetery
at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War,
President Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most
memorable speeches in American history. In fewer than 275
words, Lincoln brilliantly and movingly reminded a war-weary
public why the Union had to fight, and win, the Civil War.

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought some four months earlier,
was one of the single bloodiest battle of the Civil War.

Reception of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was initially mixed,
divided strictly along partisan lines. Nevertheless, the “little
speech,” as he later called it, is thought by many today to be
the most eloquent articulation of the democratic vision ever
written.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014)

Williams was an actor and comedian. Known for his
improvisational skills and the wide variety of characters
he created on the spur of the moment and portrayed on
film, in dramas and comedies alike. 

He is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all
time receiving numerous accolades including an Academy
Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe
Awards, five Grammy Awards, and two Screen Actors
Guild Awards. Williams was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille
Award in 2005.

On this day in 1863, the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg,
Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s last attempt at breaking
the Union line ends in disastrous failure, bringing the most
decisive battle of the American Civil War to an end.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

Eva Marie Saint and Brando in On the Waterfront (1954).

Brando received numerous accolades throughout his career, which spanned six decades, including two Academy Awards, two Golden
Globe Awards, one Cannes Film Festival Award, and three British Academy Film Awards. Brando is credited with being one of the
first actors to bring the Stanislavski system of acting and method
acting to mainstream audiences.

Brando died of respiratory failure from pulmonary fibrosis with congestive heart failure at the UCLA Medical Center. The cause
of death was initially withheld, with his lawyer citing privacy
concerns. He also suffered from diabetes and liver cancer.

On this day in history, May 30, 1868, the first Decoration Day —
a precursor to Memorial Day — was celebrated.

Originally known as Decoration Day, from early traditions of
decorating graves with flags, flowers and wreaths, Memorial
Day is a day for remembrance to honor those who have died
in service to our country.

According to PBS,"This was first widely observed on May 30,
1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the
Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers," according to PBS.