August 28, 2011 @ 11:00am
We now have another great reason to visit our nation’s capital. On August 28th, the 48th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will be officially dedicated. The memorial is a beautiful tribute to the man who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Civil Rights Movement.
The memorial is located at 1964 Independence Avenue in Southwest Washington, DC. The address has its own special significance as the number 1964 refers to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 a major milestone in our history, a milestone in which Dr. King played a pivotal role.
The memorial is situated on four acres of land on the northwest corner of the tidal basin. The location of the monument is also unique because it is surrounded by the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Washington Monument. The location of the King memorial and the memorials of the three Presidents creates a visual line of leadership from our country’s history. Being in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial is of great significance because it is the very site where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.
The dedication events begin at 10:00 am with a pre-dedication concert followed immediately at 11:00 am by the dedication ceremony including an address by President Barack Obama. A post-dedication concert follows at 2:00 pm.
It has taken almost five years to build this beautiful tribute to Dr. King and his enduring legacy. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 13, 2006. The estimated cost of this monument to greatness is $120 million of which $114 million has been raised. Help keep the dream alive and make a donation today.
For me, this dedication bears extraordinary importance because this memorial to Dr. King is being revealed during the history-making term of the first African American President, President Barack Obama. I like to think that Dr. King is looking down from Heaven on him with immeasurable pride.
If you are in Washington, DC this weekend, be a part of history and create some special family memories by attending the dedication ceremony for this phenomenal memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For more information, please visit: www.mlkmemorial.org. To make a donation please visit www.buildthedream.org.
– Kirstin N. Fuller for Reservations Travel Guide and BlackandMarriedwithKids.com