Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Right Leader and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize delivered what is known as his “I have a Dream” speech to a public mass gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial at the Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963 at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Dr. King’s “Dream” speech became a shining moment of the Civil Rights Movement and one of the most prolific speeches delivered throughout American history. His “Dream” has become that of many, and through time his dream has become reality for many, yet we have far to go.
If you travel to Washington, D.C. you can ascend the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and stand where Dr. King stood and faced the Capitol building that day. There is a plaque on the spot where he stood, facing the crowd of 250,000 people calling for an end to the plight of racism the United States is plagued by.
Dr. King prophetically spoke one final time in Memphis. In his speech he provided a depiction of the glorious victories of mankind, invoking the desire for those who have been enslaved and oppressed to claim the true victories felt through freedom. He spoke of the importance of being alive in his time, “I would turn to the Almighty, and say, “If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be happy.”
Dr. King’s speech continued with an explanation of a previous attack he experienced. He described receiving a letter from a white High School student who wrote to explain that she was happy that he didn’t “sneeze” as this could have resulted in his aorta rupturing. Dr. King’s speech famously ends with his statements that (he has) “seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! And so I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!”
His full speech is available here: https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
To honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the hand drawn Paper Doll Pattern below is available in both black & white outline and a pre-painted version.
