SMU celebrates 50th anniversary of the 'March on Washington'

Dr. King at SMU
March 17, 1966

SMU students' watch anniversary events at Hughes-Trigg.

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• Hear Dr. King's speech at SMU 
• Download Dr. King's speech to your iPod 
• Daily Campus account of the speech
• Speech excerpts

August 29, 2013

DALLAS (SMU)— To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aug. 28,1963, March On Washington, SMU students gathered to watch televised anniversary march ceremonies and a debate on the progress of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream with Wiley College students. They will attend a lecture on the legacy of the civil rights movement on Sept. 6.

The 50^th anniversary makes it timely to point out that an audio recording of King’s historic speech at SMU in 1966 is available online.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

All-Day SMU Student Watch Party

Live streaming of ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of the March On Washington were provided throughout the day in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center. Students were encouraged to write comments on a life-size poster regarding what MLK’s dream will mean 50 years from now.

SMU and Wiley College “I Have A Dream 2013” Debate

SMU’s debate team conducted a public debate with Wiley College on the question of whether America is advancing on King’s dream in 2013. The event featured readings from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech and from a letter by the ‘great debater’ James Farmer, Jr., a key civil rights leader from Texas.

Friday, Sept. 6

“The End of Civil Rights in America? Reflections on the Future of Economic Justice from the Perspectives of Law and Religion”

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Karcher Auditorium, Room 100, Storey Hall, 3315 Daniel Ave.

Open to public, $20 per person, including lunch and parking

The civil rights lecture will feature noted U.S. civil and human rights leaders, scholars and SMU faculty who will examine the legacy of the Civil Rights movement — with its growing emphasis on economic justice and the struggle for racial equality — and its implications for the future. 

Keynote speaker will be the Rev. James Lawson, a legendary leader of the Civil Rights movement who was personally recruited by King with the words, “We don’t have anyone like you.” Working closely with King, Rev. Lawson helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which played a key role in the 1963 March on Washington, as well as other prominent actions of the Civil Rights movement.

Additional Lecture and Registration Information

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