Selma in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
I Had A Dream
Dr. Martin L. King Jr.
Defying threats of death, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., led 400 Black and White Americans on the longest, largest, most dramatic march of his 13-year career.
It gave southern Blacks the right as citizens to cast a ballot and help determine and help operate the government under which they live. In the succeeding 10 years, Black voters increased from 1,463,000 to 3,845,000 and Black elected officials from 72 to 2,568 in the states affected. Hundreds of others were named to public posts. Blacks attained a more equitable share of tax benefits and won greater self esteem and respect from others as voting citizens. All these things flowed from what began here.
This is a tribute to those who planned, encouraged, marched, were jailed, beaten and died to change Black Americans from second class to first class citizens.
to overcome injustice and secure the right to
vote for all Americans.
James J. Reeb
Boston
Viola Gregg Liuzzo
Detroit
Jimmy Lee Jackson
Marion, Alabama
Dedicated
August 11, 1979
This was the
starting point
of the march
from Selma
to Montgomery
March 21, 1965
Project Conceived and
Edited by Executive
Secretary Robert H. Miller
1896-1979
“…Let Us March On Til Victory Is Won”
James Weldon Johnson
“Lift Every Voice and Sing"
Erected 1979 by National Funeral Directors And Morticians Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the Martin Luther King, Jr., and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1997.
Location. 32° 24.745′ N, 87° 0.983′ W. Marker is in Selma, Alabama, in Dallas County. Marker is on Martin Luther King Street north of Selma Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker located in front of the Brown Chapel AME Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 410 Martin Luther King Street, Selma AL 36703, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church (a few steps from this marker); Sanctuary to Stage (a few steps from this marker); George Washington Carver Homes Projects (a few steps from this marker); Lewis Scott (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Washington Carver Neighborhood (about 600 feet away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Turning Point (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Grassroots Movement (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selma.
Also see . . . The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail by The National Park Service. (Submitted on November 11, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
Additional keywords. The "I Have a Dream" Speech [1963]. Voting Rights Act [1965]. Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church NHL.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,709 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on May 22, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.