When does Lincoln date the birth of the United States in the Gettysburg Address? Why does he select this date?

Answer 1

The Address was made in 1863. "Four score and seven years" is translated as 87 years (one score = twenty). 1863 - 87 = 1776. I think the rationale for choosing that date should be astoundingly obviously, but just in case--this was the year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and when the chief conflicts of the Revolutionary War began.

Answer 2

Lincoln selects 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was written and signed.
The Gettysburg Address was given in 1863, and he refers to the birth of our nation as "four score and seven years ago." A score is 20, so "four score and seven years" would be 87 years.

Answer 3

Four score and seven years ago (87 years). The speech was made in 1863, 87 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.