Aug 28, 1963 ~ Mahalia Jackson & Dr. King’s Dream

August 28, 1963 ~ On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of a crowd of more than 200,000 demonstrators calling for civil rights, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered one of the most important speeches of the Civil Rights movement.

King’s speech followed the script until the end.

Then an American gospel singer by the name of Mahalia Jackson caught Dr. King’s attention when she shouted out as if she were in a church service.

With her deep contralto voice, Dr. King heard Jackson say “Tell them about the dream, Martin!”

Dr. King paused and improvised some of his most recognized words today. “…I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'”

Today a plaque on the steps of the Lincoln memorial marks the spot where Dr. King said those immortal words, “I have a Dream.”

Mahalia Jackson is remembered as one of the most important gospel singers of all time. She is also remembered as a civil rights activist.

Her rendition of “There is a Balm in Gilead,” is often cited as the one of the most influential songs of the Civil Rights Movement.