Italy pledged to support Germany and Austria-Hungary (in 1882) but they did not join the war on their side, thus ending the alliance in 1914. Instead, they later joined the Trippe Entente: UK, Russia and France. <span />
The Declaration of Independence was signed 87 years before 1863. Lincoln began his eulogy with a reference to this event as a reminder that the Civil War soldiers were fighting and dying for freedom.
