what natural event happened as lincoln began his speech

A Thunderstorm or Photographer's Glass Plate? Unveiling the Moment Lincoln Began Speaking As Abraham Lincoln rose to deliver his iconic Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, accounts describe a striking natural event tied to the weather and setting at the Soldiers' National Cemetery dedication. Eyewitness reports highlight how the serene sky and natural silence framed the moment, broken only by Edward Everett's preceding two-hour oration under a clear blue expanse with the Alleghenies looming in the distance.

Weather at Gettysburg

The day started crisp and clear, perfect for the massive crowd of 15,000-20,000 gathered on the battlefield hills. Lincoln's brief 272-word speech followed Everett's marathon address, with the atmosphere described as one of "eloquent silence of God and Nature"—no rain or storms interrupted, though post-battle rains had earlier unearthed shallow graves, prompting the cemetery's creation.

Historians note Lincoln felt dizzy and pale beforehand, possibly early smallpox symptoms, but the sky remained "serene," amplifying the speech's gravity amid fresh Civil War scars.

Common Myths Debunked

• No thunder or lightning : Popular lore sometimes mixes up events, but reliable sources confirm calm conditions—no dramatic storm as Lincoln began "Four score and seven years ago."

• Photographer distraction : Part of the crowd fixated on Mathew Brady's team setting a glass plate, causing scattered attention and muted applause after the "shocking brevity."

• Lincoln's reaction : He reportedly told Ward Lamon the speech "won't scour" (like a clogged plow), sensing initial flat failure, though it later became legendary.

Historical Context and Eyewitness Views

John Hay, Lincoln's secretary, captured the procession's energy, while Foote's records emphasize the contrast: Everett's eloquence versus Lincoln's terse power. Modern views, like Garry Wills', affirm Lincoln achieved his goal despite doubts.

From one angle, the "natural event" symbolizes nature's pause for nation's renewal; skeptics see only human focus on photography.

TL;DR : No major disruptive natural event like a storm occurred as Lincoln began; instead, a serene sky and nature's silence set the stage, with crowd distraction from photographers notable.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.