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Time capsule holding some of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s possessions that was lowered into the ground in 1988 at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Time capsule holding some of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s possessions that was lowered into the ground in at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. Highsmith, C. M. 1988. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.14536

A Time Capsule in Washington, D.C. in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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While the nation watched the 60th inauguration ceremonies yesterday, it was also the 39th observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The federal holiday was first celebrated on January 20, 1986, but the bill declaring the observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was signed on November 2, 1983, by President Ronald Reagan surrounded by Dr. King, Jr.’s family in the Rose Garden of the White House.

President Ronald Reagan signing into law the observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday with his family in attendance in the Rose Garden of the White House.
President Ronald Reagan signing into law the observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday with his family in attendance. November 2, 1983. The Reagan Library Education Blog. https://reagan.blogs.archives.gov/2017/01/16/what-goes-into-making-a-federal-holiday-ronald-reagan-and-martin-luther-king-jr-day/

Two years after the first observation of the new holiday, the former Western Plaza located at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, was renamed “Freedom Plaza,” in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. because it is said he wrote the finishing details of the famous, “I Have A Dream,” speech at the nearby Willard Hotel. Before the dedication, a joint resolution was introduced to Congress that authorized the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission to place a time capsule in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on federal land in D.C. with the stipulation that federal funds could not be used for the creation or placement of the time capsule and that it must be enacted within five years of the resolution. Placement was ultimately approved by the National Parks Service.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s widow, Coretta Scott King, speaks at a 1988 event in which a time capsule holding some of Dr. King's possessions is lowered into the ground at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s widow, Coretta Scott King, speaks at event in which a time capsule holding some of Dr. King’s possessions is lowered into the ground at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. Highsmith, C. M., 1988. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.14492

At the time of the dedication, the time capsule which weighs 500 lbs., was buried underneath the plaza to be opened in 2088. Within the capsule is a United States flag featuring 51 stars with the hope that Washington D.C. will be recognized as a state by then. Additionally, it contains one of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s clerical robes, one of his bibles, and audio recordings of his speeches. Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at the event, and more family members were in attendance. While the re-opening of the capsule is still 53 years away, we can honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. daily and let his famous speech and life be a reminder of how far we have come as a nation and how far we can still progress.

A man looks at the time capsule holding some of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s possessions that was lowered into the ground at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. in 1988.
A man looks at the time capsule holding some of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s possessions that was lowered into the ground at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. in 1988, Highsmith, C. M. 1988. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.14537

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Comments (2)

  1. He was an amazing human. He understood the importance of human rights and fought for the marginalized. He was critical of capitalism and believed in a more socialist government. I think people should study Mr.King and other black revolutionaries. They were acutely aware of the violence of unchecked capitalism. What we see today is just the beginning. We will honor him more by continuing his agenda.

  2. Date to put in my agenda. Thank you!

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