Covering an anniversary of a historical event is always a very deep moment and gives photographers pause. Unlike when news is breaking, we aren’t the first to tread that path. In the case of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, the black and white images that were taken that day by Bob Adelman in 1963 have become part of American history. They have become the iconic images of that moment in time.
Fifty years to the day after Dr. King gave his landmark speech, crowds numbering in the thousands flocked to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to mark the occasion. This presented a unique opportunity for a photographer. The same date, the same time, the same location, and the same cause, separated by fifty years.
A poster carried in the crowd with a quote by Gandhi – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Crowds standing in the rain waiting to go through metal detectors – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
A poster emblazoned with the image of Doctor King – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
President Clinton speaking to the crowd. Unlike 50 years ago, the press was very much in attendance – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Despite the historical significance of the moment, the exuberance of youth got the better of these two school boys – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
50 years to the day. MLK’s march is embroidered on hats. Something he likely would have ever imagined – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Fashions have changed significantly since that day in 1963, but the quiet poignancy of the moment for the attendees was very evident – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Attendees carried some signs bearing political statements – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Members of the military watching the speeches – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
A woman at the moment of the bell being rung at 3 p.m. to mark the moment when Dr. King started speaking – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
A young couple watching the speeches – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Just like 1963, for most of the attendees, this was as close as they would come to the moment – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Park employees stop to watch the speeches – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Unlike 50 years ago, a plethora of mobile phones and cameras meant that this speech was captured from every angle – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Children, too young to properly grasp the significance of the speeches, were brought by their parents so that they will be able to say that “they were there” someday – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
School children rush to get a better view as President Barack Obama takes to the podium – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Crowds thronged the Mall – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Standing silently and ignoring the rain, the crowds listened in rapt attention – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
A particularly moving sign demonstrating just how much has been accomplished since 1963 – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
The best seat in the house is always on daddy’s shoulders – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Crowds stretching as far as the eye could see filing out of the Mall after President Obama’s speech – Grae Stafford/Daily Caller
Watch Bob Adelman discuss what it was like photographing the original speech: