"I Have a Dream" speech

Definition

The "I Have a Dream" speech is one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s most famous speeches. Delivered during the March on Washington in 1963, it called for an end to racism and envisioned a future where all people are judged by their character rather than their skin color.

Related terms

Martin Luther King Jr.: An influential leader in the American Civil Rights Movement who delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech.

Civil Rights Movement: A struggle for social justice by African Americans in the United States during mid-20th century. The "I Have a Dream" speech was a significant part of this movement.

Emancipation Proclamation: Issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War; it declared slaves in Confederate-held territory free. MLK referenced this proclamation in his "I Have a Dream" speech.