National Geographic | National Geographic

National Geographic

WHAT GETTYSBURG WROUGHT

Monday, July 3, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we mark the anniversary of the decisive moment of the Civil War, learn what it’s like to portray Honest Abe, see classic July 4 images ... and discover what inspired ‘America the Beautiful.’ Plus, which bug repellants actually work?

A monument to a Pennsylvania defender against the South's charge at Gettysburg star

AGE FOTOSTOCK

Until that bloody afternoon—160 years ago today—the United States did not know if it would remain united, or be permanently divided into two.

Until the desperate Confederacy sent its troops uphill in Pennsylvania farmland in the face of withering fire, there was a possibility the South could win.

In a few hours, Gen. Robert E. Lee would decide to turn tail and retreat back south. More than 50,000 bodies lay in Gettysburg. New maps show the pathway to the slaughter—itself a route to a nation’s turbulent reunification.

GETTYSBURG’S BLOODY SECRETS

Unlock this article with Nat Geo Premium! Get access now to exclusive stories, plus a century of archives, photos, and videos. See subscription options starting at just $19/yr.

Map shows the South's charge on Day 3 of Gettysburg

NG MAPS

The fatal charge: The map (above) shows the South’s disastrous frontal attack (in red) against entrenched Northern positions at Gettysburg. At top, a monument commemorates the North’s hilltop defenders. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

a replica of the pioneering Turtle

PHOTOGRAPH BY CARY WOLINSKY

The U.S. has deployed submersibles since 1776 (a replica of the pioneering Turtle, above)

Want to keep your memory sharp? Here’s how.

Exclusive: Skull from perplexing ritual site reconstructed

Did El Niño prompt a mass child sacrifice in Peru?

How the Declaration of Independence wooed people away from Britain

Is the Adderall shortage leading to job loss, self-harm?

Mytery solved: the severed feet washing up on the shores of the Pacific Northwest

This is how ‘America the Beautiful’ was born Related: Classic Fourth of July images

How eating and drinking (alcohol) can disrupt a night’s sleep

These bug repellants really work—if you use them correctly

What is the gut microbiome—and how can it affect your health?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Abraham Lincoln presenters and re-enactors

PHOTOGRAPH BY GRETA PRATT

All about Abe: They love America. They love the 16th president. There are so many Abraham Lincoln presenters and re-enactors that they get together for an annual convention (above). What’s it like being Honest Abe?

READY, WILLING, AND ABE L

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A painting depicts colonists pulling down his statue in New York during the Revolutionary War

IMAGE VIA BETTMANN/GETTY IAMGES

The odd King George III: Yes, his character was in Hamilton. Yes, he married Queen Charlotte. Pop-culture references aside, who was the British ruler who lost the colonies that became the United States? The polite word would be, um, multilayered, we find out. (A painting depicts colonists pulling down his statue in New York during the Revolutionary War.)

THE LOSER KING?

LAST GLIMPSE

a person fishing on a river

PHOTOGRAPH BY KHOLOOD EID, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Seeing America: Gardens, museums, a dude ranch, and Fourth of July parades. Here are some tips on things to see and do during this holiday week and beyond. (Above, a fly-fisher casts his line in Montana’s Rock Creek.)

Today’s soundtrack: You’ll Be Back, Jonathan Groff (from the musical Hamilton)

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! It was curated and edited by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, Nancy San Martín, and David Beard. Want to let us know your thoughts? Send away: [email protected]. Happy trails!

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

© 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.