Lincoln's Lost Speech

The speech known as Abraham Lincoln's "Lost Speech" was given on May 29, 1856, in Bloomington, Illinois. Traditionally regarded as lost because it was so engaging that reporters neglected to take notes, the speech is believed to have been an impassioned condemnation of slavery. Modern-day interpretations have suggested the wording may have been too strong and thus purposely "lost". Lincoln's Lost Speech was given at a since demolished building at... more

The speech known as Abraham Lincoln's "Lost Speech" was given on May 29, 1856, in Bloomington, Illinois. Traditionally regarded as lost because it was so engaging that reporters neglected to take notes, the speech is believed to have been an impassioned condemnation of slavery. Modern-day interpretations have suggested the wording may have been too strong and thus purposely "lost". Lincoln's Lost Speech was given at a since demolished building at the corner of East and Front Streets in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, known as Major's Hall on May 29, 1856. Lincoln gave the speech at an Anti-Nebraska convention in Bloomington that culminated with the founding of the state Republican Party. There are no known transcripts or written accounts of the Lost Speech, other than a brief summary in the local press. Eyewitnesses have offered snippets of some of Lincoln's content that day. William Herndon asserted that some of Lincoln's House Divided Speech was not based on new concepts at the time... less