One more place to enjoy near Washington, D.C. in District of Columbia
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent civil rights activist, is honored by a 30-foot granite memorial situated on the northwest rim of the Tidal Basin. The memorial’s address at 1964 Independence Ave. symbolizes the year the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed by Congress. Its design depicts King emerging from a “mountain of despair,” reminiscent of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. This grand sculpture, opened to the public in 2011, stands as one of the District’s newest memorials. It holds special significance as the National Mall’s first memorial dedicated to an African American.
The memorial has received high praise from past visitors who were deeply moved by its powerful symbolism and stunning design. Its location near other significant memorials and monuments such as the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial makes it easily accessible. Nevertheless, a few reviewers expressed a desire for additional information about King’s life, legacy, and dedication to nonviolence in close proximity to the statue.