Groundbreaking for the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial takes place on Monday, November 13. Co-hosted by Tavis and CNN's Soledad O'Brien, the ceremony will include inspirational musical performances and addresses from President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey.
The memorial—the first on the National Mall dedicated to an American leader who was not a president—was authorized in June 1998, when Congress passed House Joint Resolution 113. President Clinton signed the bill into law and, on March 4, 1999, the memorial site was approved.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will be situated adjacent to the F.D.R. Memorial and create a visual "line of leadership" from the Jefferson Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Maryland's Senator Paul Sarbanes, one of the original sponsors of the bill, explained the significance of the location: "On the line of sight between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials [the King Memorial] will assume a significance that will burn itself into the American consciousness and have the consequence of strongly shaping attitudes, particularly for young people."
The Memorial's centerpiece, the "Stone of Hope," a 30-foot likeness of Dr. King, will convey three fundamental and recurring themes throughout his life—democracy, justice and hope.
Find out more about the special show Tavis taped at the King Memorial groundbreaking.
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How have the ideals of Dr. King's legacy influenced your life?
Dr. King represented the epidemy of man kind. He stood for racial justice and equality. I believe that people that grew up in that era (1960's) has forgotton about the true meaning or the reason of why Dr. King's lost his life, and today's society is totally oblivious of the truth that lies within the dream. Reality................
Brenda Hogan, Paramount, CA
Saturday, June 30, 2007
When I think of Dr. King, two things come to mind...
First, with vision, hope and determination you can change the world in which you live if you're willing to lay down your life for what you believe.
And, when a man responds to the calling/purpose on his life, his family is also called...they must suffer what he suffers and stand for what he stands for and be willing to go the distance if they are to embrace the fullness of his legacy and the fruit of his labor.
Jean, Altadena, CA
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Dr. King's legacy continued to create HOPE for all citizens, now and for future generations. Today the true spirit and ideals of liberty rings true for all Americans. And the words God Bless America have more meaning for me.
Margaret Batchelor White, Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Because of Dr. King's ideals and his legacy, I've felt since I was a young child that I could, and still can, accomplish ANYTHING . His words and deeds, for me, brought the promises of God's word to life. Pure inspiration . . . Dr. King . . .
Kathy Jones, Columbus, GA
Monday, November 13, 2006
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How have the ideals of Dr. King's legacy influenced your life?
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