Penn Quarter in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Freedom Plaza
Civil War to Civil Rights
| | Downtown Heritage Trail | |
"I have a dream."
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., August 1863
The block-long plaza at 13th and Pennsylvania Avenue to your left is named Freedom Plaza to honor Civil Right leader the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King completed his historic "I Have a Dream" speech in the Willard Hotel adjacent to the plaza before delivering it to a crowd of 200,000 at the Lincoln Memorial.
Inscribed on the surface of Freedom Plaza is a partial image of the 1791 L'Enfant Plan for Washington, D.C., honoring its author Pierre (also known as Peter) C. L'Enfant. The city planner envisioned Pennsylvania Avenue as a great ceremonial street, the symbolic link between the Capitol (which he called Congress's House) and the White House (President's House).
Directly across Freedom Plaza is the John A. Wilson Building, home of the government of the District of Columbia. The building was constructed in 1904, when the city was governed by three presidentially appointed commissioners. In 1974, after a vigorous campaign for "home rule," the city regained the elected mayor and city council that had run the city until just after the Civil War. The Wilson Building is named for the late Council Chair John A. Wilson, a champion of civic rights for Washingtonians.
The
this page online
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number W.7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Entertainment • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Downtown Heritage Trail, the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1863.
Location. 38° 53.773′ N, 77° 1.766′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in the Penn Quarter. It is at the intersection of E Street Northwest and 13th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling east on E Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1299 E St NW, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
Another marker is no longer nearby. Freedom Plaza (has been replaced with this marker).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Additional commentary.
1. Language used on the marker
While the marker uses the word Washingtonians to describe people who live in the District of Columbia, the official demonym for people who live in the territory is DC residents. Technically, the City of Washington has been dissolved for well over a century and is only used vestigially as a postal location name for the territory.
— Submitted December 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Additional keywords. municipal government
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0)
4. About Rainbow History Project signage
In 2025, Freedom Plaza was the site of Pickets, Protests and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington, a display by the Rainbow History Project in commemoration of DC's hosting of World Pride 2025. The photo was taken when the display was being assembled.
Founded in 2000 when Washington, DC lacked a home for LGBTQ history, the Rainbow History Project (RHP) has grown into the region's leading all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and promoting the diverse histories of metropolitan DC's LGBTQ communities. Over the last 25 years, RHP has built extensive archives, conducted oral histories, led walking tours, hosted public panels, and is currently developing K-12 curricula aligned with DC Public Schools' new social studies standards. Our Community Pioneers Award, now honoring 89 individuals, will welcome a new class this year, celebrating those whose vision and commitment have shaped our vibrant community.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 411 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
