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Period: to
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial timeline
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Idea of the memorial arises
Members of a Silver Spring chapter of King's fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, proposed the idea of a memorial while meeting around a dining room table. Their proposal is presented at a meeting of the fraternity's board of directors. -
President Bill Clinton gives the Okay!
President Bill Clinton signs congressional authorization, proposing the creation of a memorial in Washington to honor King. -
A site is chosen amongst the Cherry Blossoms along the Tidal Basin
The National Capital Planning Commission approves a four-acre site for the memorial on the northwest shore of the Tidal Basin among Washington's famous cherry trees. Image: Courtesy of nps.gov -
Three part design chosen from 1,000 entries
From nearly 1,000 entries a design submitted by the ROMA design group, of San Francisco, is selected as the best one for the memorial. It features a three-part sculpture that has transformed into the current three-piece configuration with a large, central statue of King Image: Courtesy of nps.gov -
Thousands attend the ceremonial groundbreaking
Thousands, including then-Sen. Barack Obama attend the ceremonial groundbreaking at the memorial's site. Image: Courtesy of The Washington Post -
Chinese sculptor chosen to design the three story centerpiece
A Chinese sculptor, Lei Yixin, is chosen from over 500 applicants to create the three-story-tall centerpiece statute of King, which has been named the "Stone of Hope." Image: Couetesy of The Washington Post -
Sculpture blocks assembled
The sculpture's 159 blocks were carefully disassembled, shipped, and reassembled on-site. Image: Courtesy of nps.gov -
Maya Angelou addresses drum major quote
The quote "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness's" was taken out of context, and undermined King's meaning. Maya Angelou and others begin to call for a change. Maya Angelou says inscription makes King look 'arrogant.' -
Tens of thousands gather to witness the reveal of the memorial
Tens of thousands crowd the Mall for the star-studded dedication of the memorial. In the keynote address, President Barack Obama says King was the "black preacher with no official rank or title who somehow gave voice to our deepest dreams and our most lasting ideals." -
Drum Major Quote Controversy
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced his decision to remove the controversial quote by carving striations over the words, which would blend in with the existing artwork. In 2013, sculptor Lei Yixin returned to modify the memorial and remove the quote.
