People wait in line at sunrise for the dedication ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial on the National Mall in Washington on Sunday, October 16.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
People wait in line at sunrise for the dedication ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial on the National Mall in Washington on Sunday, October 16.
The memorial site, which features a striking 30-foot statue of King gazing out over the Tidal Basin, lies between the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall. The statue, representing a "Stone of Hope," sits forward from a "Mountain of Despair."
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
The memorial site, which features a striking 30-foot statue of King gazing out over the Tidal Basin, lies between the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall. The statue, representing a "Stone of Hope," sits forward from a "Mountain of Despair."
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama make their way to the stage for Obama's speech. "Nearly 50 years after the March on Washington, our work -- Dr. King's work -- is not yet complete," Obama said at the dedication ceremony.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama make their way to the stage for Obama's speech. "Nearly 50 years after the March on Washington, our work -- Dr. King's work -- is not yet complete," Obama said at the dedication ceremony.
The Rev. Cal H. P. Merrell of Atlanta holds a photo of the late Coretta Scott King, King's widow, during the ceremony.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
The Rev. Cal H. P. Merrell of Atlanta holds a photo of the late Coretta Scott King, King's widow, during the ceremony.
Former U.N. ambassador, former Atlanta mayor and civil rights leader Andrew Young speaks during the dedication. Young said King was sensitive about his small stature, as he stood only 5 feet 7 inches. "Now he's 30 feet tall, looking down on everybody," Young said.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
Former U.N. ambassador, former Atlanta mayor and civil rights leader Andrew Young speaks during the dedication. Young said King was sensitive about his small stature, as he stood only 5 feet 7 inches. "Now he's 30 feet tall, looking down on everybody," Young said.
First lady Michelle Obama, left, reaches out to embrace singer Aretha Franklin as President Obama , Vice President Joe Biden, and Jill Biden look on after Franklin performed at the ceremony. Franklin sang "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," a song she said King often requested.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
First lady Michelle Obama, left, reaches out to embrace singer Aretha Franklin as President Obama , Vice President Joe Biden, and Jill Biden look on after Franklin performed at the ceremony. Franklin sang "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," a song she said King often requested.
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A woman in the crowd of spectators holds up the event brochure.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
A woman in the crowd of spectators holds up the event brochure.
The Rev. Joseph Lowery speaks during the ceremony on the National Mall. Other speakers at the dedication included the Rev. Al Sharpton; actresses Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll and 12-year-old Amandla Stenberg; and Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
The Rev. Joseph Lowery speaks during the ceremony on the National Mall. Other speakers at the dedication included the Rev. Al Sharpton; actresses Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll and 12-year-old Amandla Stenberg; and Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund.
The Obama family toured the memorial before the president's speech. Obama walks with his daughters Sasha, left, and Malia.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
The Obama family toured the memorial before the president's speech. Obama walks with his daughters Sasha, left, and Malia.
Bernice King, King's second daughter and youngest child, speaks to the crowd.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
Bernice King, King's second daughter and youngest child, speaks to the crowd.
Martin Luther King III, King's eldest son, pays tribute to his father at the dedication ceremony.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
Martin Luther King III, King's eldest son, pays tribute to his father at the dedication ceremony.
Christine King Farris, King's eldest living sister, speaks to the crowd at the dedication ceremony.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. —
Christine King Farris, King's eldest living sister, speaks to the crowd at the dedication ceremony.