Opening with the famous line ‘Four score and seven years ago,’ Lincoln made the 2-minute speech to an assembled crowd of approximately 15,000 people including six separate state governors.

It was sent to the states for ratification the next day, a process that was concluded on 6 December after the necessary three-quarters of states approved it.

Washington’s face was the first to be completed, seven years after work began. In July 1939 Roosevelt was the final likeness to be dedicated.