The significance of the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War lies in its turning point nature and its profound impact on both the Union and the Confederacy. Fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, it was one of the largest battles in North America and marked a major defeat for Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The Union victory bolstered Northern morale and fueled hope for an eventual Union triumph. Additionally, it led to President Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address, which redefined the war's purpose and stressed the ideals of democracy and national unity.