Though Hurricane Irene may have postponed the official Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial dedication, hundreds still paid homage to Dr. King on Sunday and throughout the past week.
Even though the threat of Hurrican Irene caused Sunday's dedication to be delayed, many celebrations still went on as planned including Alpha Phi Alpha's ceremony honoring fraternity, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo credit: Bill O'Leary / WASHINGTON POST
Once the rain had stopped and the winds had died down, visitors gathered at the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall to honor the civil rights leader and the 48th anniversary of his famed “I Have a Dream” speech.
While the official dedication has been postponed (and a new date not yet set), many of the week’s festivities still went on as planned. Throughout the week events included a gala honoring global leaders for peace and a public expo to educate visitors about Dr. King and his legacy. Members of Dr. King’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, who have been instrumental in raising funds for the memorial, also held a private dedication ceremony on Friday.
The memorials and monuments of the National Mall are always moving, long-remembered part of visits to Washington, D.C. The King Memorial is a special addition, being the first memorial not dedicated to a president or white man. Smithsonian Student Travel is excited to add a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to our tours. Find out more about class trips to Washington, D.C.
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