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The Proposal
George Sealey, Alfred Bailey, Oscar Little, Eddie Madison and John Harvey, all members of Alpha Phi Alpha, King's fraternity, conceive the idea of a memorial while meeting around a dining room table. Their proposal is presented at a meeting of the fraternity's Board of Directors, under the administration of General President Ozell Sutton. -
A President's signing
President Bill Clinton signs Congressional legislation proposing establishment of a Memorial in Washington DC to honor Dr. King. -
Location Recommended
National Capital Memorial Commission votes to recommend Area 1. -
Location Approved
The National Capital Planning Commission votes unanimously to approve a prime four-acre site for the memorial on the northwest shore of the Tidal Basin. -
The Memorial Design
A design submitted by the ROMA design group of San Francisco, California was selected as the winning design. Photo by: ROMA Design Group -
CFA Approval
The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) voted in favor of the Proposed design for the Memorial. -
NCPC Approval
National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) Unanimously Approves Preliminary Design for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. -
Groundbreaking on National Mall
Thousands attend the Ceremonial Groundbreaking on the National Mall. Those in attendance include Presidents Bush and Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Senator Barack Obama, Diane Sawyer, Dr. King’s children - Yolanda, Martin III and Bernice, Members of the President’s Cabinet, Members of Congress, various civil rights icons, spiritual leaders, corporate sponsors, families and friends Photoi by: Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post -
Sculpture Chosen
A Chinese master sculptor, Lei Yixin, is chosen to create the three-story-tall centerpiece statute of King, which has been named the "Stone of Hope." Photo by: Lei Yixin -
Request for Construction
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation Submits Request for Construction Permit to The National Park Service. -
Construction Permits Signed
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar signs construction permit, allowing work to proceed. -
Build a Dream Web site Launched
BuildTheDream.org The MLK Construction Section of the “Build the Dream” Web site was launched. The new section includes construction updates, an interactive timeline, and The MLK Construction Cam. -
Delivery from China
A cargo ship bearing the memorial's 159 granite sculpture blocks arrives in Baltimore after a 47-day voyage from China, where the stone was quarried and carved. -
Dedication Announced
The memorial project foundation announces that dedication has been scheduled for Aug. 28 - the 48th anniversary of the day King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington. -
Dedication Postponed
As Hurricane Irene heads toward the region, memorial officials announce the formal dedication ceremony will be postponed to a later date. -
Memorial Dedication
Tens of thousands assembled on the Mall for the star-studded dedication of the memorial. In the keynote address, President Barack Obama says King was the "black preacher with no official rank or title who somehow gave voice to our deepest dreams and our most lasting ideals." Photo of event invitation by: Carl Williams
