Eight premieres Lincoln@Gettysburg, honoring 150th anniversary of historic speech

Eight to air program tracing Abraham Lincoln’s pioneering use of the telegraph
and how it helped shape the Gettysburg Address

PHOENIX – (October 24, 2013) Eight, Arizona PBS will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, exploring the powerful leadership and innovation of Abraham Lincoln that led to a major turning point in American history with the premiere of LINCOLN@GETTSYBURG, Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m.

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proved himself a master of a new frontier with his “high-tech” command center — the War Department Telegraph Office, America’s first “Situation Room.” The telegraph, the internet of the 19th century, gave Lincoln the power to reinvent leadership, wield control across distant battlefields and have his finger on the pulse of the nation.  This flow of communication led to some of the most dramatic moments of the Civil War and shaped the words that Lincoln would use to reunite a shattered country at Gettysburg.

“Abraham Lincoln is held in high esteem as an American president for so many significant acts of leadership, including the transformative power of his Gettysburg address,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS.  “Many viewers may not be aware of Lincoln’s pioneering use of technology to lead the country.  It’s only fitting on the 150th anniversary of this historic speech that we bring this story to light.”

Narrated by David Stratharin (Lincoln, The Bourne Legacy, Good Night, and Good Luck) LINCOLN@GETTYSBURG reveals how Lincoln used new technologies to connect himself to the country. The special highlights how the commander-in-chief received dispatches by telegraph from his generals in the field and, in turn, transmitted his words and strategic plans for the nation with more clarity and efficiency than ever before. Throughout the documentary, audiences hear a range of views from historians, political scientists and Civil War and military experts, including screenwriter for the award-winning motion picture Lincoln, Tony Kushner; former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Colin Powell; historian and author Eric Foner; author Jeff Shaara; political scientist and TV commentator Melissa Harris-Perry and more.

"Lincoln's powerful and poetic words are still relevant today. One of the most masterfully written addresses of all time, there's a reason why it was the first political speech to go viral. 'Of the people, by the people, for the people…' It doesn't get much better than that," said Peter Schnall, producer and director.