(Image Source: MLKMemorial.org)

BY EMILY SPAIN

You're watching multisource U.S. news analysis from Newsy.

It’s the only memorial not dedicated to a president, white man or war -- and Monday it hit Washington DC’s National Mall. It’s Martin Luther King Jr., who once again stands out... or up in this case.


With arms crossed, the granite statue of King stands 30-feet tall -- poised on the northwest shore of the Tidal Basin. Henry Johnson with the project’s foundation tells Fox News -- it was a project complete after more than 25 years in the making and was worth it.

“What better place can one put himself or herself in than to say that you helped build a national memorial to a man like Dr. King, the first of it’s kind, to a man of peace, non-president and the first memorial dedicated to a man of color on our nation’s lawn."

Adding to the event-- there will be no more memorials revealed on the National Mall... ever!
So why is this the last one to get a place in America’s front lawn?  A writer for The Christian Science Monitor answers that question.

“You guessed it, a law. Congress passed the Commemorative Works Act in 1986, and amended it in 2003.  Among other things, this law designates the central core of the Mall as a ‘substantially completed work of art’ within which no further memorials can be erected.”

So King joins Jefferson and Lincoln as the final decorations on the nation’s yard.  And MSNBC found-- it’s already attracting hundreds of visitors.

“In my mind he is probably one of the greatest Americans that’s ever lived so to have this monument here is just outstanding, I’m excited.”


The memorial is set to be dedicated on Sunday - the 48th anniversary of this famous speech.

“I have a dream, that one day this nation will rise up...”