The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, DC will honor Dr. King’s national and international contributions and vision for all to enjoy a life of freedom, opportunity, and justice. One of the most prestigious sites remaining on the
National Mall in Washington, DC has been selected for a memorial for Martin Luther King, Jr., adjacent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.
Construction and Funding of the Memorial
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial was held on November 13, 2006. Speakers at the ceremony included former president Bill Clinton, Talk show host Oprah Winfrey and poet Maya Angelou. Construction will not begin until $120 million is raised. Government funding for this project is extremely limited and the majority of funds for this Memorial will come from private donations. As of August 2009, $104 million has been raised. The dedication of the Memorial is tentatively scheduled for 2011.
You may make a donation online or send a check to the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., Department 211, Washington, DC 20055.
Design of the Memorial
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will occupy the northeast corner of the Tidal Basin and will convey three themes that were central throughout Dr. King’s life – democracy, justice, and hope. The centerpiece of the Memorial will be the “Stone of Hope”, a 30-foot statue of Dr. King, with a wall that will be inscribed with excerpts of his sermons and public addresses.
