Library of Congress to display copy of Gettysburg Address as part of Civil War exhibition

WASHINGTON – The Library of Congress plans to display a copy of the Gettysburg Address over a six-week period starting later this month.

The John Hay copy is one of five known manuscript drafts of President Abraham Lincoln's famous 1863 address, which began with the words, "Four score and seven years ago."

It will be on display in the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building from March 22 to May 4 as part of the "Civil War in America" exhibition.

That exhibition, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, will be extended until Jan. 4.

The Hay copy is believed to be the second draft of the speech. Lincoln gave it to Hay, one of his two secretaries.