At This Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Said “I Have a Dream” to 250,000 Americans Marching for Justice

Martin Luther King Jr., Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial has seen plenty of speeches, but none quite like August 28, 1963.

That’s when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered sixteen minutes that would echo through generations. Over 250,000 people packed the National Mall to witness it.

Here’s the story behind that moment, plus how to visit this historic spot today.

How A. Philip Randolph Organized the March

A. Philip Randolph started planning the March on Washington in late 1962. As founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters union, Randolph knew how to mobilize large groups.

He asked his friend Bayard Rustin to turn his idea into reality. They built their plan around two main goals: jobs and freedom.

Randolph needed to unite competing civil rights groups. He brought together the “Big Six” leaders: Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, and John Lewis. Each led a major civil rights organization.

Bayard Rustin’s Meticulous Planning

Bayard Rustin put together the entire March on Washington in under three months. He managed transportation, security, and programming for the largest demonstration in American history at that time.

Rustin led 200 volunteers who spread the word across the country. They found participants, arranged buses and trains, and handled details from bathrooms to the sound system.

He wrote a detailed guide for local leaders. This booklet explained the march’s goals, key talking points, and practical matters like travel plans and proper conduct during the event.

The White House Response to the Planned March

President Kennedy first opposed the march. He worried violence might hurt the civil rights bill he proposed after clashes in Birmingham, Alabama.

These concerns led to heavy security. The government readied 6,000 troops nearby, while Washington DC police assigned 5,900 officers to the event.

Kennedy changed his mind as planning moved forward. After meeting with organizers and seeing the march would happen with or without his approval, he began to support this peaceful demonstration.

John Lewis’s Speech Controversy

John Lewis, the 23-year-old leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, wrote a fiery speech attacking Kennedy’s civil rights bill as “too little and too late.”

Lewis planned to use strong words, threatening to “march through the South, through the heart of Dixie, the way Sherman did.” Other civil rights leaders found this reference to Civil War destruction alarming.

Hours before the program, Lewis agreed to tone down his speech after talks with King and Randolph. He still delivered pointed criticism of the government’s slow progress on civil rights.

The Musical Performances Before King’s Speech

Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson performed “I’ve Been ‘Buked and I’ve Been Scorned” right before King spoke. King asked for this spiritual that expressed Black Americans’ struggles and strength.

Many famous musicians took part throughout the day. Marian Anderson, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and others used their talents to lift the crowd’s spirits. These performances set the tone for the speeches to follow.

Dr. King’s Speech Preparation

Martin Luther King Jr. worked until 4 a.m. on August 28 finishing his speech. He wanted to create something as powerful as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, knowing television would carry his words to millions.

King worked with advisers Stanley Levison and Clarence Jones on several drafts. They crafted a speech about broken promises and the urgent need for change, aiming to reach all Americans.

He titled it “Normalcy, Never Again” to stress that America could not go back to business as usual. The opening focused on the unfulfilled promise of freedom and the ongoing struggles of Black Americans.

Mahalia Jackson’s Critical Role

Halfway through King’s speech, something unexpected changed history. Mahalia Jackson, standing nearby, called out, “Tell them about the dream, Martin!”

This prompt from Jackson, who knew King had used the “dream” theme before, caused King to set aside his written speech. He grabbed the podium with both hands and began speaking from his heart.

King then launched into the now-famous “I have a dream” section.

The Television Broadcast Impact

All three TV networks—ABC, CBS, and NBC—showed the March on Washington live. This coverage brought King’s message directly into homes across America.

Radio stations also broadcast the event from morning until midnight. This allowed people without TVs to hear the historic speeches and music.

For millions of Americans, this was their first time seeing and hearing Martin Luther King Jr. Television made his message reach people who would never attend a civil rights rally.

Immediate Media Reaction

James Reston of The New York Times called King’s speech the highlight of the March. He praised King’s use of biblical language and powerful images to express the day’s main themes.

Mary McGrory of The Boston Globe wrote that King moved the crowd more than any other speaker. News outlets also noted how peaceful the huge gathering remained.

Direct Legislative Impact

The March and King’s speech put pressure on Congress to pass civil rights laws. The event showed widespread public support for equal rights, giving President Kennedy more backing for new legislation.

Less than a year later, on July 2, 1964, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. This law banned discrimination in public places, facilities, and schools based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Progress continued with the Voting Rights Act in 1965, which stopped unfair voting practices.

Visiting Lincoln Memorial

You can visit the Lincoln Memorial 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The site sits at the west end of the National Mall at 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, DC 20037. Entry is free for all visitors.

Read More from WhenInYourState.com:

• 9 Historical Sites to Visit in Washington, DC to Learn About America’s Past
• 10 Interesting Facts About Abe Lincoln’s Marble Memorial in Washington D.C.
• 13 Surprisingly Cool Facts About the National Mall in Washington, DC