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The Eternal Light Peace Memorial

Pennsylvania · United States

8 story sections

The Eternal Light Peace Memorial is a symbol of reconciliation, dedicated on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1938. Civil War veterans from both the Union and Confederate sides attended the ceremony. The towering granite structure is topped with a gas-lit flame, signifying enduring peace. The inscription, "Peace Eternal in a Nation United," commemorates the unity and healing that followed the war, reminding visitors of the importance of national reconciliation after the devastating conflict.

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1The Eternal Light Peace Memorial

    Welcome to Oak Hill, one of the most commanding elevations on the entire Get-is-burg battlefield. As you stand here today, breathing in the fresh Pennsylvania air and looking out over the peaceful, rolling farmland, it is…

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  2. 2The Approach and the Architecture

    As you walk toward the base of the monument, take a moment to truly appreciate the sheer scale and the elegant architectural lines of the structure. Designed by the renowned architect Paul Crey, the memorial is constructed of…

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  3. 3The Inscription of Unity

    Move closer to the face of the monument and read the large, deeply incised letters carved into the stone. The inscription reads: Peace Eternal in a Nation United. …

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  4. 4The 1938 Dedication Ceremony

    Picture the incredible scene that unfolded on this very terrace on the third of July, nineteen thirty-eight. It was the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Get-is-burg, and a massive crowd had gathered on Oak Hill. …

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  5. 5The Eternal Flame

    Direct your attention to the very top of the monument, soaring forty feet above your head. There, burning steadily inside a massive bronze urn, is the eternal flame. …

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  6. 6Views of the Battlefield

    Step over to the edge of the terrace and look outward over the expansive landscape. From this elevated vantage point, you have an unparalleled view of the first day's battlefield. …

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  7. 7Monuments in the Shadows

    Before we conclude our time at the memorial, take a short stroll along the paths immediately surrounding the terrace. Hidden in the shadows of the surrounding trees, you will find several smaller, deeply personal regimental…

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  8. 8Closing

    As we conclude our visit to the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, pause once more at the base of the great stone shaft and look up at the fire burning against the sky. This place asks us to hold two seemingly contradictory truths in…

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What is The Eternal Light Peace Memorial?

The Eternal Light Peace Memorial is a place in Pennsylvania · United States with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationPennsylvania · United States
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates39.8485, -77.2434
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
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