How Many Years Is Four Score And Seven Years Ago

How Many Years Is Four Score and Seven Years Ago? Understanding Lincoln's Famous Phrase

Four score and seven years ago equals exactly 87 years. This simple mathematical calculation unlocks one of the most powerful opening lines in American history, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln during his Gettysburg Address in 1863. Understanding this phrase and its historical significance reveals not just a number, but the very foundation upon which the United States was built and redefined during one of the nation's darkest periods.

The Mathematical Breakdown of "Four Score and Seven"

To fully appreciate what "four score and seven years ago" means, we must first understand the archaic term "score.That said, " In the English language, particularly in historical and formal contexts, a score represents twenty years. This word has ancient roots, derived from the Old Norse word "skor," which originally referred to marks made on a tally stick to keep track of numbers.

Breaking down the phrase mathematically:

• Four score = 4 × 20 = 80 years
• Seven = 7 years
• Four score and seven = 80 + 7 = 87 years

When Lincoln spoke these immortal words on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he was referring to events that occurred 87 years earlier. This places the reference squarely in 1776, the year the American colonies declared independence from Great Britain.

The Historical Context of the Gettysburg Address

Lincoln's choice of this specific time frame was deliberate and profound. When he said "four score and seven years ago," he was referring to the founding of the United States of America through the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776. The full phrase from the Gettysburg Address reads:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

This opening line served multiple purposes in Lincoln's brief but monumental speech. First, it established the historical context of the nation. Here's the thing — second, it connected the sacrifices of the soldiers who died at Gettysburg to the founding principles of American democracy. Third, it created a powerful rhetorical framework that asked listeners to consider whether the nation could survive the Civil War and remain true to its founding ideals.

The timing of the speech was crucial. The Battle of Gettysburg had occurred just four months earlier, from July 1 to July 3, 1863. Also, it was the deadliest battle of the American Civil War, resulting in approximately 51,000 casualties (killed, wounded, missing, or captured). The Union victory there marked a turning point in the war, but the cost in human life was staggering.

Why Did Lincoln Use "Score" Instead of Just Saying "87 Years"?

The use of "score" rather than simply stating "87 years" was a deliberate stylistic and rhetorical choice. Several factors contributed to this decision:

Formal and Elevated Language

In the 19th century, the use of "score" in formal oratory was common and carried a sense of gravity and importance. Which means it elevated the speech above everyday conversation, lending weight and dignity to the occasion. Lincoln was addressing a nation in mourning, and the archaic term helped establish a solemn, respectful tone.

Biblical and Historical Tradition

The word "score" appears in numerous historical and religious texts, most famously in the King James Bible. The most well-known example is Psalm 90:10: "The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if we have strength, fourscore years; but if we would be wise, it is labor and sorrow." By using this traditional language, Lincoln connected his speech to a long tradition of important English-language oratory.

Memorability and Rhythm

The phrase "four score and seven years ago" has a distinctive rhythm and cadence that makes it memorable. The alliteration of the "s" sounds ("score" and "seven") and the parallel structure create a poetic quality that has ensured the phrase's lasting place in American cultural memory.

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Emphasis on Founding Principles

By referring to the nation's beginning in terms of "fourscore and seven years," Lincoln emphasized the relatively young age of the republic. Practically speaking, at just 87 years old, the nation was still defining itself and its principles. The Civil War represented a crisis that would determine whether the democratic experiment begun in 1776 could survive.

The Significance of 1863 and the Civil War Context

When Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, the United States was in the midst of the American Civil War (1861-1865), the deadliest conflict in American history. The war had begun primarily over the issues of slavery and states' rights, and by 1863, the nation had been divided for over two years.

Lincoln's reference to 1776 was not coincidental. The Declaration of Independence had proclaimed that "all men are created equal" and that governments derive their "just powers from the consent of the governed." The Civil War was, in many ways, a test of whether a nation founded on these principles could survive a civil war over the question of human freedom and equality.

By saying that the nation was "conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal," Lincoln reframed the Civil War not merely as a conflict to preserve the Union, but as a struggle to fulfill the promises made in the Declaration of Independence. The soldiers who died at Gettysburg, he argued, had given their lives so that the nation might "have a new birth of freedom."

The Legacy of the Phrase

More than 150 years later, "four score and seven years ago" remains one of the most recognizable phrases in American history. Think about it: it has been referenced, parodied, and quoted countless times in popular culture, politics, and education. The phrase has become synonymous with the Gettysburg Address itself, which is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history.

Understanding what "four score and seven years ago" means—87 years—is more than a simple arithmetic exercise. It connects us to a key moment in American history when the nation's very existence was in question. It reminds us of the ideals upon which the country was founded and the sacrifices made to preserve and extend those ideals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate "four score and seven years ago"?

A score equals 20 years. Which means, four score equals 80 years (4 × 20 = 80). Adding seven years gives you 80 + 7 = 87 years.

What year is "four score and seven years ago" referring to?

In the context of the Gettysburg Address (delivered in 1863), "four score and seven years ago" refers to 1863 - 87 = 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Why did Abraham Lincoln use "score" instead of saying "87 years"?

Lincoln used "score" to create a formal, elevated, and memorable tone. The archaic term connected his speech to historical and biblical traditions and added rhetorical weight to his opening line.

Is "score" still used today?

While less common in everyday conversation, "score" is still used in formal writing, historical contexts, and occasionally in popular culture. The phrase "four score and seven years ago" has helped keep the term in public consciousness.

What is the full opening of the Gettysburg Address?

The complete opening is: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Conclusion

Four score and seven years ago equals 87 years, but its significance transcends simple mathematics. When Abraham Lincoln spoke these words at Gettysburg in 1863, he was connecting the bloodiest battle of the Civil War to the founding ideals of American democracy expressed in the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

This powerful phrase has endured for over a century and a half because it encapsulates the ongoing American struggle to fulfill the promise of equality and liberty for all. Understanding what "four score and seven years ago" means allows us to appreciate not only Lincoln's rhetorical genius but also the profound historical moment he was addressing and the enduring principles that continue to shape the nation today.