Wanderlust World Wanderlust World During the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In this powerful speech, he called for an end to racism and discrimination and urged America to live up to its democratic ideals of equality and justice for all.
2. The Vietnam War Protest (October 21-22, 1967)
The Lincoln Memorial was a focal point for protests against the escalating U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. On October 21-22, 1967, over 100,000 people gathered at the memorial for the "March on the Pentagon," organized by the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam. The march was marked by speeches, sit-ins, and arrests.
3. The Watergate Scandal Protest (April 9, 1974)
The Lincoln Memorial was also a site for demonstrations related to the Watergate scandal, which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. On April 9, 1974, an estimated 200,000 people gathered at the memorial for a "Call to Impeachment" rally, calling for Nixon's removal from office.
4. The Dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (October 16, 2011)
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was dedicated on October 16, 2011, on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial. The memorial, featuring a 30-foot granite statue of Dr. King, commemorates his life and legacy and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice.