3 Things I Learned About the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

I saw constant commercials for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. It was to be celebrated over a working weekend for me. I needed to visited the MLK Jr. Memorial early if I wanted to see the exhibit while it was fresh and new. It was Monday, August 22nd and the news state that the memorial was open today. The MLK Jr. Memorial opening ceremony would take place over the weekend. Blessed to be in the Washington Metro area I rarely take advantage to visit the monument. As I made my way down to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, I found out these three things.

First Thing I Discovered While Searching For the MLK Jr. Memorial

If you are going to the MLK Jr. Memorial, you will want to park at the tidal basin. When there is a huge crowd, you may find a challenge parking. However, free parking is worth it in DC with a 3 hours window at the Tidal Basin. If you are driving down to the memorial, it is worth at least the attempt to get the free parking and perhaps go on the paddle boats.

If You are not driving, the Washington Area Metro Transit Authority recommends the following station from which you can walk to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial:

Arlington Cemetery (Blue Line) Farragut West (Blue and Orange Lines) Farragut North (Red Line) McPherson Square (Blue and Orange Lines) L’Enfant Plaza (Yellow, Green, Blue and Orange Lines)

To get specific walking directions you can go to wamata.com/MLK.

Second Thing I Discovered While Searching for the MLK Jr. Memorial

The MLK Jr. memorial is not exactly where I thought it would be. Granted, I heard all the commercial. The better statement is hearing all the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commercials about the monument on the mall is not listening to them. Just like when your mom say “don’t eat those cookies before dinner”; hearing states, that I heard the physical words. To listens implies you take those words “don’t eat the cookies” and apply it to life. Most people including me would just eat the cookies and deal with the consequences.

But I digress, I heard the MLK Jr. memorial commercial location statement. Yet, I went right up to the Mall thinking it had to be somewhere between the monument and the Lincoln memorial. Or at least the Lincoln Memorial and the World War 2 memorial. Technically the MLK, Jr. Memorial is between the Lincoln Memorial and the WW2 Memorial. However the Jefferson memorial is a crucial triangulation point of reference. To be clear, the monument is not on the Mall as many would have presupposed. If you look to the right of the Lincoln memorial toward the jefferson memorial, you will see the MLK, Jr. Memorial.

Third Thing I Discovered While Searching for the MLK, Jr Memorial

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial will have the address “1964 Independence Ave”. The street address of the MLK. Jr memorial of 1964 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC, has the “1964” reference which chosen as a direct reference to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Within the course of a little over a year, Dr. Martin Luther King Gave his I have a Dream speech (March 1963), became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (1964), help achieve the of the 1964 Civil Rights act a milestone in the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King’s pivotal role in 1964 is forever changed our nation.

The Most Important thing I learned about the memorial is that pictures don’t do it justice. In a picture you can see it but its not the same as looking at a sunset from the top of a a mountain. You don’t get the same impact as looking at a sunrise on a warm but breezy island day at the beach as you stare out into the ocean with the one you love. Somethings you must experience for yourself to get the full feeling. This MLK, Jr. Memorial is one of those things. Most importantly, I hope it helps people to learn a little bit more about history. As you experience the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the speeches he gave will impact you. It is our hope more people look at 1964 Independence Ave as not just and address but a reason to learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reaching for higher ideals.


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