I am happy to join with you today in what will go down history as the greatest demonstration for freedom of our nation. Five score years ago a great American whose symbolic shadow we stand signed Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree is beacon light hope millions Negro slaves who had been seared flames withering injustice. It came joyous daybreak end long night their captivity. But 100 later still not free. One hundred life badly crippled by manacles segregation and chains discrimination. lives on lonely island poverty midst vast ocean material prosperity. languished corners society finds himself exile his own land. So we’ve come here dramatize shameful condition. In sense nation’s capital cash check. When architects Republic wrote magnificent words Constitution Declaration Independence they were signing promissory note which every was fall heir. promise that all men—yes black men well white men—would be guaranteed unalienable rights life liberty pursuit happiness. . We must forever conduct struggle high plane dignity discipline. allow creative protests degenerate into physical violence. The marvelous new militancy has engulfed community lead us distrust people many brothers evidenced presence today have realize destiny tied up destiny. cannot walk alone. And make pledge shall always march ahead. turn back. There are those asking devotees civil rights “When satisfied?” can never satisfied victim unspeakable horrors police brutality. bodies heavy fatigue travel gain lodging motels highways hotels cities. Negro’s basic mobility from smaller ghetto larger one. children stripped adulthood robbed signs stating “For Whites Only.” Mississippi vote New York believes he nothing vote. No no satisfied until justice rolls like waters righteousness mighty stream. say my friends though even though face difficulties tomorrow ©2014 Gilder Lehrman Institute History www.gilderlehrman.org dream. dream deeply rooted one day this nation rise up live out true meaning its creed: “We hold these truths self-evident created equal.” red hills Georgia sons former slave-owners able sit together at table brotherhood. state Mississippi sweltering heat injustice oppression transformed an oasis justice. four little where judged color skin but content character. Alabama vicious racists governor having lips dripping interposition nullification right there Alabama boys girls hands sisters brothers. when God’s sing meaning. “My country ’tis thee sweet land liberty thee sing. Land fathers died pilgrim’s pride mountain side let ring.” if America nation become true. ring prodigious hilltops Hampshire. Let mountains York. heightening Alleghenies Pennsylvania. snowcapped Rockies Colorado. curvaceous slopes California. only that. Stone Mountain Georgia. Lookout Tennessee. hill molehill side. ring—when it city hamlet city speed children men Jews Gentiles Protestants Catholics old spiritual “Free last Free Great God a-mighty free last.”