"I Have a Dream" Speech Tradition at the Lincoln Memorial

"I Have a Dream" Speech Tradition at the Lincoln Memorial

Photo: National Park Service

Since 2005, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Peabody & Watkins Elementary 5th graders have taken part in an annual tradition visiting the Lincoln Memorial to recite Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, alongside powerful poetry and song on the very steps where Dr. King delivered his famous speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.

Again this year, these talented and passionate students immersed themselves in this historical event and learned about Dr. King’s message of freedom and unity, which continues to resonate and reverberate on the National Mall today. Thank you to the Trust’s National Park Service partners for carrying on this meaningful tradition as a new generation of students dives deep into the history that shaped our nation on the National Mall.

The Trust’s National Mall Gateway team joined this year’s event to distribute copies of the new Gateway map, and invited students to visit the website to deepen their relationship with history by learning more about the Mall. The National Mall Gateway is a new digital learning platform that brings the Mall and our nation's history to life - whether you're planning an in-person visit or exploring virtually from your kitchen table or classroom.

You can experience the Gateway here, and teachers can find out more about getting their own map by signing up for an account at gateway.nationalmall.org