View 3 more
Tourists look out from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Barack Obama, who will speak, was 2 years old and growing up in Hawaii when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech from the Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
View 3 more
This 1966 photo provided by Maria Varela shows a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, SNCC, working with students in a Head Start program in Canton, Miss. The photo was taken by Varela, then a member of SNCC, and was one of the few Lat Maria Varela, File, Associated Press
View 3 more
This1965 photo provided by Maria Varela, shows striking farm workers as they are evicted from a abandoned Air Force Base in Greenville, Miss. The photo was taken by Varela, then a member of SNCC, and was one of the few Latinos involved in the black civil Maria Varela, File, Associated Press
View 3 more
The folded arms of the Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial are seen in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Barack Obama, who will speak, was 2 years old and growing up in Hawaii when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The final refrain of Martin Luther King Jr.'s most famous speech will echo around the world as bells from churches, schools and historical monuments "let freedom ring" in celebration of a powerful moment in civil rights history.

Most of the commemorations will happen Wednesday at 3 p.m. locally or to coincide with 3 p.m. eastern time, the hour when King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington 50 years ago.

Quoting from the patriotic song, "My Country 'tis of Thee," King implored his audience to "let freedom ring" from the "hilltops" and "mountains" of every state, some of which he mentioned as examples in his speech.

View Comments

On Wednesday, bells will ring from each of those particular sites, and beyond.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.