MLK Memorial
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is a monument that celebrates the life, works, and struggles of the great Civil Rights activist and Baptist minister.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Taking inspiration from a line on his momentous speech – ‘I Have a Dream’ the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial celebrates the life and battles of the great Civil Rights activist and Baptist minister, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The focal point of the site is a 30-foot-high statue of King sculpted in pink granite called the Stone of Hope. It stands past two massive boulders that signify the ‘mountain of misery.’ Visitors go through the Mountain of Despair to symbolically move through the battles of the life of Dr. King prior to they arrive at the Stone of Hope.
There is likewise a 450-feet long crescent granite wall that engraved excerpts from many of King’s preachings and speeches. A Council of Historians carefully chosen the quotes inscribed in the wall – which are chronologically set up from the time of the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott up to his last sermon in 1968 at the National Cathedral days prior to his assassination.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is also located in the Tidal Basin, near the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, on a sightline linking the Lincoln Memorial to the northwest and the Jefferson Memorial to the southeast.
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Interesting Facts on the MLK Memorial & Dr. Martin Luth King Jr.
- The cherry blossom trees that bloom around the Tidal Basin in the spring are a popular draw for tourists, and over 180 additional trees—which peak, coincidently, around the April 4 anniversary of King’s assassination— were incorporated into the memorial.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the first African American honored with a memorial on or near the National Mall and only the fourth non-President to be given with such honor.
- In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means.
- The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is a result of an early effort of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to erect a monument to King. MLK was a member of the fraternity via Sigma Chapter on June 22, 195 while he was attending Boston University for his doctoral studies.
MLK Memorial – More Information
The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial in Washington DC is a tribute to one of America’s most inspiring civil rights leaders. The monument, which stands tall on the National Mall, is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Dr. King and the movement that he helped to lead.
The idea for the monument was first proposed in 1984, just a few years after Dr. King’s death. It wasn’t until nearly 25 years later, in 2009, that the memorial was finally completed and opened to the public. The monument was designed by Chinese sculptor Lei Yixin, who was chosen after an international competition that drew over 900 submissions.
The monument itself is a massive statue of Dr. King, standing at 30 feet tall and carved out of solid white granite. The statue depicts Dr. King with his arms crossed, gazing out into the distance with a determined expression on his face. At the base of the statue, there is an inscription that reads, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”
The design of the monument is meant to evoke the feeling of being in a natural setting. The statue of Dr. King is situated at the end of a long, winding path that leads up to the monument. Along the way, visitors can see a series of quotations from Dr. King’s speeches, etched into the stone walls that line the path. The quotations serve as a reminder of the ideals and values that Dr. King fought for, including justice, equality, and peace.
One of the most striking features of the monument is the use of water. At the foot of the statue, there is a large pool that stretches out to either side of the monument. The water is meant to symbolize the “sea of troubles” that Dr. King faced during his lifetime. Visitors are encouraged to toss coins into the water as a symbol of their commitment to the ideals that Dr. King fought for.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial is a powerful tribute to a man who devoted his life to the cause of civil rights. It is a reminder of the struggles that Dr. King faced, and the progress that has been made as a result of his work. The monument is a place of reflection and contemplation, a place where visitors can pay their respects to a true American hero.
In conclusion, the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial in Washington DC is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of America’s most inspiring leaders. It is a powerful symbol of the struggle for civil rights and equality, and a reminder that the fight for justice is an ongoing one. The monument stands as a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, change is possible.