I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I Have a Dream

Martin Luther King Jr. delivering "I Have a Dream" at the 1963 Washington D.C. Civil Rights March.

 

 

 

 

 

External audio

I Have a Dream, August 28, 1963, Educational Radio Network

"I Have a Dream" is a public speech delivered by American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he calls for an end to racism in the United States and called for civil and economic rights. 

Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement
Beginning with a reference to the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed millions of slaves in 1863, King observes that: "one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free"

Toward the end of the speech, King departed from his prepared text for a partly improvised peroration on the theme "I have a dream", prompted by Mahalia Jackson's cry: "Tell them about the dream, Martin!"

In this part of the speech, which most excited the listeners and has now become its most famous, King described his dreams of freedom and equality arising from a land of slavery and hatred.

Jon Meacham writes that, "With a single phrase, Martin Luther King Jr. joined Jefferson and Lincoln in the ranks of men who've shaped modern America" The speech was ranked the top American speech of the 20th century in a 1999 poll of scholars of public address.

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Rev. King ministered and preached

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where King ministered, was renamed
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in 1978.

Religion

King at the 1963 Civil Rights 

March on Washington, D.C.

 

 

 

As a Christian minister, King's main influence was Jesus Christ and the Christian gospels, which he would almost always quote in his religious meetings, speeches at church, and in public discourses. 

King's faith was strongly based in Jesus' commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself, loving God above all, and loving your enemies, praying for them and blessing them.

His nonviolent thought was also based in the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus' teaching of putting the sword back into its place (Matthew 26:52).

In his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail, King urged action consistent with what he describes as Jesus' "extremist" love, and also quoted numerous other Christian pacifist authors, which was very usual for him. In another sermon, he stated:

Before I was a civil rights leader, I was a preacher of the Gospel. This was my first calling and it still remains my greatest commitment. You know, actually all that I do in civil rights I do because I consider it a part of my ministry. I have no other ambitions in life but to achieve excellence in the Christian ministry. I don't plan to run for any political office. I don't plan to do anything but remain a preacher. And what I'm doing in this struggle, along with many others, grows out of my feeling that the preacher must be concerned about the whole man.

In his speech "I've Been to the Mountaintop", he stated that he just wanted to do God's will.

Statue of King in Birmingham's Kelly Ingram Park

Statue of King in Birmingham's Kelly Ingram Park

• Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958) ISBN 978-0-06-250490-6
• The Measure of a Man (1959) ISBN 978-0-8006-0877-4
• Strength to Love (1963) ISBN 978-0-8006-9740-2
• Why We Can't Wait (1964) ISBN 978-0-8070-0112-7
• Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967) ISBN 978-0-8070-0571-2
• The Trumpet of Conscience (1968) ISBN 978-0-8070-0170-7
• A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. (1986) ISBN 978-0-06-250931-4
• The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. (1998), ed. Clayborne Carson ISBN 978-0-446-67650-2
• "All Labor Has Dignity" (2011) ed. Michael Honey ISBN 978-0-8070-8600-1
• "Thou, Dear God": Prayers That Open Hearts and Spirits Collection of King's prayers. (2011), ed. Lewis Baldwin ISBN 978-0-8070-8603-2
• MLK: A Celebration in Word and Image Photographed by Bob Adelman, introduced by Charles Johnson ISBN 978-0-8070-0316-9

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lyndon B. Johnson, and Robert F. Kennedy with civil rights leaders, June 22, 1963

The FBI was under written directive from Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy when it began tapping King's telephone in the fall of 1963. 

 Kennedy was concerned that allegations of communists in the SCLC—if they were made public—would derail the administration's civil rights initiatives.

 He warned King to discontinue these associations and later felt compelled to issue the written directive that authorized the FBI to wiretap King and other SCLC leaders.

 FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover feared the civil rights movement and investigated the allegations of communist infiltration.

 When no evidence emerged to support this, the FBI used the incidental details caught on tape over the next five years in attempts to force King out of his leadership position, in the COINTELPRO program.

King believed that organized, nonviolent protest against the system of southern segregation known as Jim Crow laws would lead to extensive media coverage of the struggle for black equality and voting rights.

 Journalistic accounts and televised footage of the daily deprivation and indignities suffered by Southern blacks, and of segregationist violence and harassment of civil rights workers and marchers, produced a wave of sympathetic public opinion that convinced the majority of Americans that the civil rights movement was the most important issue in American politics in the early 1960s.

King organized and led marches for blacks' right to vote, desegregation, labor rights, and other basic civil rights.

 Most of these rights were successfully enacted into the law of the United States with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Honorary Degrees Received By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

King showing his medallion, which he received from Mayor Wagner



 
     King was awarded at least fifty honorary degrees from colleges and universities. On October 14, 1964, King became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded to him for leading nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice in the U.S

    In 1965, he was awarded the American Liberties Medallion by the American Jewish Committee for his "exceptional advancement of the principles of human liberty." In his acceptance remarks, King said, "Freedom is one thing. You have it all or you are not free."

    In 1957, he was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.  Two years later, he won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for his book Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.  In 1966, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America awarded King the Margaret Sanger Award for "his courageous resistance to bigotry and his lifelong dedication to the advancement of social justice and human dignity." 

     Also in 1966, King was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.   In November 1967 he made a 24-hour trip to the United Kingdom to receive an honorary degree from Newcastle University, being the first African-American to be so honored by Newcastle.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's Statue in Westminster Abbey

Martin Luther King Jr. statue over the west entrance of Westminster Abbey, installed in 1998

I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.

I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.-------Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This article is part of a series about Martin Luther King Jr.
Biography Sermons and speeches Campaigns Montgomery bus boycott Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom Youth March for Integrated Schools Albany Movement Birmingham campaign Walk to Freedom March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom St. Augustine movement Selma to Montgomery marches Chicago Open Housing Movement March Against Fear Memphis sanitation strike Poor People's Campaign Death and memorial Assassination American federal holiday National memorial National Historical Park

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
King in 1964
1st President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
In office 1957–1968
Preceded by	Inaugural holder
Succeeded by	Ralph Abernathy
Personal details
Born	Michael King Jr. January 15, 1929 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Died	April 4, 1968 (aged 39) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Cause of death	Gunshot head wound
Nationality	American
Spouse(s)	Coretta Scott (m. 1953)
Children	Yolanda Denise King Martin Luther King III Dexter Scott King Bernice Albertine King
Parents	Martin Luther King Sr. Alberta Williams King
Relatives	Christine King Farris (sister) Alfred Daniel Williams King (brother) Alveda King (niece)
Alma mater	Morehouse College Crozer Theological Seminary Boston University
Occupation	Minister activist
Known for	Civil rights movement, Peace movement
Awards	Nobel Peace Prize (1964) Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977, posthumous) Congressional Gold Medal (2004, posthumous)
Monuments	Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Signature

I Have A Dream --------Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

born Michael King Jr., 

January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

He was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1954 through 1968.

 He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using the tactics of nonviolence and civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs and inspired by the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi.

Happy Birthday-----Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.------89

You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration

 
'Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you

 
And I'm sure you would agree
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be
Happy birthday to you

 
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you

 
Happy birthday
I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would

 
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he

 
That they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing

 
Thanks to Martin Luther King
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

 
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Why has there never been a holiday

 
Where peace is celebrated
All throughout the world
The time is overdue
For people like me and you

 
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should never be a great event
And the whole day should be spent

 
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win

 
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you

 

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day ----- January 15, 2018------Monday

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

 

was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1954 through 1968. Wikipedia

 

Born: January 15, 1929, Atlanta, GA

Assassinated: April 4, 1968, Memphis, TN

Famous speech: I Have a Dream

Children: Martin Luther King III, Yolanda King, Dexter Scott King, Bernice King

 

 

Quotes

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

 

If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.

 

Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last.

Dr. Percy Lavon Julian----African American Inventor

At the lowest point in Julian's career, his former mentor, William Blanchard, threw him a much-needed lifeline. Blanchard offered Julian a position to teach organic chemistry at DePauw University in 1932.

 Julian then helped Josef Pikl, a fellow student at the University of Vienna, to come to the United States to work with him at DePauw. 

In 1935 Julian completed the total synthesis of physostigmine and confirmed the structural formula assigned to it.

When Julian completed his synthesis, the melting point matched the correct one for natural physostigmine from the calabar bean.

Julian also extracted stigmasterol, which took its name from Physostigma venenosum, the west African calabar bean that he hoped could serve as raw material for synthesis of human steroidal hormones. 

The Greatest of All Time----Dr. Percy Lavon Julian----Inventor of Cortisone

In 1929, while an instructor at Howard University, Julian received a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship to continue his graduate work at the University of Vienna,

 where he earned his Ph.D. in 1931. 

He studied under Ernst Späth and was considered an impressive student. 

In Europe, he found freedom from the racial prejudices that had stifled him in the States. 

He freely participated in intellectual social gatherings, went to the opera and found greater acceptance among his peers.

Julian was one of the first African Americans to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry, after St. Elmo Brady and Dr. Edward M.A. Chandler.^[

Jesus Turns Water Into Wine

John 2:1-11

 King James Version (KJV)

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

² And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

³ And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

⁴ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

⁵ His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

⁶ And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

⁷ Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

⁸ And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

⁹ When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

¹⁰ And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

¹¹ This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Jan Ernst Matzeliger ---- Inventor of the Shoe Lasting Machine

Jan Ernst Matzeliger
Jan Ernst Matzeliger in 1885
Born	15 September 1852 Paramaribo, Surinam
Died	24 August 1889 (aged 36) Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.

Auld Lang Syne (The New Years Song) Sung By---- Bing Crosby

Lyrics

 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We twa hae run about the braes
An pou'd the gowans fine
But we've wander'd mony a weary fitt
Sin' auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine

Louis Allen Rawls

Louis Allen Rawls 

 was an American recording artist, actor, voice actor, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his singing ability; Frank Sinatra once said that Rawls had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game". Wikipedia

Born: December 1, 1933, Chicago, IL

Died: January 6, 2006, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Spouse: Nina Malek Inman Rawls (m. 2004–2006), 

Children: Louanna Rawls, Aiden Allen Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr., Kendra Rawls

Songs

You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine

All Things in Time · 1976

Lady Love

When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All · 1977

Love Is a Hurtin' Thing

Soulin' · 1966

View 25+ more

Albums

 

 

 

All Things in Time

1976

Stormy Monday

1962

Unmistakably Lou

1977

When You Hear Lou, You've H...

1977

Sit Down and Talk to Me

1980

Happy Fantastic New Year 2018----Everybody