161 years ago today, Pickett's Charge was repulsed, Lee's soldiers slaughtered, and the third and final day of the Battle of Gettysburg concluded.

Lee’s attempt to invade the north was thwarted and he was forced to retreat back to Virginia. The war would continue for another 19 months, but it was lost today.

If you’ve never toured the battlefield, read a good history on it, and then go see it — more fun than touring the Capitol, and less chance of being imprisoned for 10 years.