Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington D.C. (must see)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial can be found in West Potomac Park, Washington DC, situated to the southwest of the National Mall. This imposing monument occupies the northwest corner of the Tidal Basin, close to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. It's strategically aligned in a way that connects the Lincoln Memorial to the northwest and the Jefferson Memorial to the southeast. The monument's official address, 1964 Independence Avenue, S.W., commemorates the year the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement with Dr. King's significant involvement.

Spanning four acres, the memorial was opened to the public on August 22, 2011, following over two decades of planning, fundraising, and construction. Originally, a dedication ceremony was planned for Sunday, August 28, 2011, which marked the 48th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. However, this event was postponed to October 16, the 16th anniversary of the 1995 Million Man March on the National Mall, due to Hurricane Irene.

While Washington DC has other memorials honoring African-Americans, Dr. King's memorial holds special significance as the first to commemorate an African-American figure on or near the National Mall. He is also only the fourth non-President to be memorialized in such a manner. The administration of the King Memorial falls under the purview of the National Park Service (NPS).

A 30-foot-high relief sculpture of Dr. King, called the "Stone of Hope," stands beyond two granite pieces representing the "mountain of despair." Visitors metaphorically trace Dr. King's life journey as they approach it. A 450-foot inscription wall showcases excerpts from his speeches and sermons, featuring 14 quotes spanning from the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott to his last sermon in 1968, four days before his assassination.

The relief of Dr. King is designed to create the impression that he is gazing out over the Tidal Basin towards the horizon, not towards the Jefferson Memorial, as is commonly believed. The cherry trees that adorn the site bloom every year during the anniversary of Dr. King's death, adding a poignant touch to the memorial's symbolism.

Why You Should Visit:
The memorial itself – a magnificent statue of King carved from white stone is worth checking out, but the quotes are really what make this memorial poignant.
People of all colors, creeds, religious backgrounds, ethnicities, etc., could benefit from reading – and thinking about – his many words of wisdom.

Tip:
Particularly beautiful in spring, when white blossoms on cherry trees and new-green leaves on other trees surround the memorial.
Photographers: Try to go on a cloudless day when the white stone contrasts with a clear blue sky.