Archive · 19 Nov 2025
Kalpana Chawla's Maiden Space Mission & Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
On November 19, Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Chawla went to space for the first time, and 136 years earlier, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln gave a famous speech about freedom and equality after a big battle.
Kalpana Chawla embarked on her first space mission aboard Nasa’s Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-87) on November 19, 1997.
Chawla played a key role in managing several of the 250 experiments conducted during the 15-day mission.
Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, following the Battle of Gettysburg.
Lincoln's speech redefined the war's purpose and reminded the nation of its founding ideals.
The Gettysburg Address is now celebrated as a defining statement of American democracy.
- Who
- Kalpana Chawla, Abraham Lincoln
- What
- Kalpana Chawla's maiden space mission, Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
- When
- November 19, 1997 (Chawla), November 19, 1863 (Lincoln)
- Where
- Space (Chawla), Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Lincoln)
- Why
- To conduct scientific experiments (Chawla), To dedicate a cemetery and redefine the war's purpose (Lincoln)
- Mission
- STS-87
- Duration
- 15 days
- Experiments Conducted
- 250
- Speech
- Gettysburg Address
- Battle
- Battle of Gettysburg