The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Tree

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton

1. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Tree Marker

Inscription.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge...."

Martin Luther King, Jr.
1929-1968
This tree named in honor of Dr. King January 14, 1983 John R. Block
Secretary of Agriculture

Erected 1983 by U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1608.

Location. 38° 53.31′ N, 77° 1.728′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. Marker is on Jefferson Drive Southwest west of 12th Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east. The marker is at the base of a tree on the Northeast Lawn of the USDA building on the National Mall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20024, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bradford Pear Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Bald Cypress (within shouting distance of this marker); USDA Holocaust Memorial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the People's Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Federal Grain Inspection Service

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(within shouting distance of this marker); USDA Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Steven Thomas Stefani IV (within shouting distance of this marker); Knapp Memorial Arch (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.

Regarding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Tree. This marker was the first marker to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the National Mall. The date is one day before Dr. King's birthday on January 15. This same year of 1983 President Reagan went on to sign a law (Public Law 98-144) honoring Dr. King with a federal holiday. Interestingly, the same quote on this marker can also be found on the Dr. King memorial near the Tidal Basin.

USDA archives noted that King's widow, Coretta Scott King, continued planting trees in his honor with the USDA, for example "Highlighting ceremonies across the Nation in honor of the 55th birthday anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mrs. Coretta Scott King
participated with Congressional representatives, USDA officials, and 200 school children in a tree planting ceremony January 9, 1984,

Wide view of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Tree Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton

2. Wide view of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Tree Marker

on the East Grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The tree - an American elm — was donated by the Forest Service. Also participating in the tree dedication were Deputy Secretary Richard Lyng (left) and John B. Crowell (right), assistant secretary for
natural resources and environment."
(USDA Employee Newsletter 43:2, Jan. 25, 1984)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2013, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 823 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2013, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.