Free At Last

Forty years ago today, marchers packed the National Mall in Washington to encourage the passage of the Civil Rights Act. It was the biggest political demonstration ever staged in the United States, and a day that would quickly become part of the national narrative.

Perhaps no other event has had more impact on more Americans than this moment in time. Dr. King’s words of admonition ring true today. On this the 40th anniversary of the famous speech, a memorial was held at the exact location. The gathering was much smaller than on August 28, 1963, and no speaker equaled the eloquence of Dr. King. Many speakers recalled Dr. King’s words not only to invoke the struggles of his day, but also to call attention to the unfinished tasks of this day.

Calling on young Americans to reject complacency and inaction, civil rights veteran Representative John Lewis, the only person alive who spoke at the 1963 march, said, “In spite of all the progress we have made, we still have a great distance to go.” But he cautioned against minimizing the earlier triumphs over segregation. “We live in a different world. If you don’t believe me, come and walk in my shoes,” he said.

I encourage everyone to take time out today to contemplate the magnitude of the events of 40 years ago. How much was accomplished on this day? How much more is left unfinished?

Here are a few resources, courtesy of the net.

Transcript of the Official Program
Downloadable PDF File of the Program

Read Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech