On August 28, 1963, Luther gave an inspiring speech at the Lincoln Memorial in a bid to end racial segregation in the US. And it sparked controversy and equal success in the US democracy concerning racial equality.

In the middle of the Washington march for jobs and freedom, Martin Luther King Jr., a Civil rights activist and Baptist minister, gave a speech calling for civil and economic rights and an effective end to racism. The skillful orator and activist gave the address to over 250,000 civil rights supporters at the Lincoln Memorial; it’s one of the most iconic and memorable speeches in American history.

During the Washington March of 1963, more than 2,500 persons in the civil rights movement achieved pivotal legislative gains, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

King’s assassination raised profound anger among Black Americans and, on top, a period of national mourning. The revolution ended in a similar housing bill and other significant civil rights achievements.

Fun Facts:

• About 250,000 civil rights supporters assembled at the Lincoln Memorial during the freedom speech.

• In the 1963 Freedom March, Martin Luther King Jr. addressed multiple civil rights activists.

• The central theme in Luther’s speech was the social and economic segregation across racial lines.

• Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

• After Luther’s assassination in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson designated April 7 as a national day of mourning for the renowned activist.