Next Sunday, Aug 28 2011 the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial will have a ceremonial dedication

From: National Constitution Center: Constitution Daily
With the dedication of a new memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., “I have a dream” becomes a reality

Flickr photo by mattlemmon

• Nearly half a century after he led the March on Washington for civil rights and gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King, Jr., is receiving the honor he deserves among other great American leaders in Washington, D.C.
• The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, which opened to the public on Monday in West Potomac Park on the Tidal Basin, will be formally dedicated on Sunday, the 48th anniversary of King’s immortal speech.
• A Long Time Coming
• On August 28, 1963, the first integrated protest march, which became known as the March on Washington, was led by Dr. King.  It was during the protest that King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial; the symbolism did not go unnoticed.  Five years later on April 4th, Dr. King was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  But it took another 28 years before President Bill Clinton signed congressional legislation proposing the establishment of a memorial in honor of Dr. King.  Finally after years of fundraising and construction, the memorial is set to open. 

• I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

• A Permanent Symbol of Hope and Peace
• The Martin Luther King, Jr., memorial is located on the Tidal Basin, creating a visual line of leadership between the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.  The memorial’s location identifies King as a integral leader in American history. Visually, the memorial also conveys four major themes– democracy, justice, hope, and love.  The memorial will include a 450-foot inscription wall with some of King’s most famous quotes.  It will also feature the “Mountain of Despair” and the “Stone of Hope,” which includes a 30-foot sculpture of King. The ceremonial dedication on Sunday will be accompanied by dinners, concerts, prayer services, and galas.  Tickets are available to the public through the memorial’s website (www.dedicatethedream.org)

The author of the original article, Rachel Bradshaw served as the Education Assistant at the National Constitution Center for the past three summers. She now begins her graduate work at Lehigh University studying Political Science.