My Encounter With History--August, 1963--

[Arkham House]

I was nine years old, and Dad, who worked for the State Department, thought we should see the March on Washington...so he bundled up the family down to the Mall on a hot August day to see, hear, what was happening. I remember lots and lots of people--mostly black, but a strong white minority like us...and a good feeling in the crowd, a sense that something good was happening--I remember that clearly. I didn't know then that MLK was destined to become a secular saint, but Dad said that we should listen hard to him, to all of them... The speeches seemed endless, and frankly I was bored, though I do remember one that held my attemntion by a young Negro--sue me; that was the term then--whom I'm pretty sure was a youthful John Lewis, though I couldn't swear to it...and then King spoke. I cannot honestly say now that my memory is entirely my own, how much has been colored by all the replays of it and the its legendary aura...but I remember being thrilled by it, as Dad was a big Civil Rights supporter, and had drummed into us kids why this whole issue was so important, and that we were watching history being made in our country. And I definitely remember his ringing cry--"Let freedom ring, from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire...to the mighty Alleghenies"...and the whip in his voice when he went on to "Lookout Mountain in Tennessee...and Stone Mountain in Georgie"...I'll remember how he spoke those words on my deathbed...and finally, "free at last, free at last, thank Godalmighty free at last", and I had tears in my eyes...and so did everyone around me, including Dad, which impressed me more than anything else...
I've seen other great events--JFK's funeral, Nixon's resignation at the White House, the antiwar demonstrations, a few other things. Nothing has begun to compare with the memories of that August day. We didn't speak much on the way home, except that Dad told us to remember the day, because it would be remembered as long as the US existed...and I never have forgotten...

[linazelle]

1. You brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing. nt

[1932]

8. Me too. I love that speech. I love MLK.

[gristy]

2. wow

Props to your dad.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. beautiful memory

a treasure.

[stevedeshazer]

4. You're very fortunate to have witnessed such a momentous event.

If you have kids or other young relatives, pass this memory on to them for me. :)

[benburch]

5. Thank you for that. nt

[CottonBear]

6. You have been truly fortunate to witness history. Thanks for sharing

your memories with us. Peace. CB

[Wilms]

7. Thank you, Arkham. n/t

[Frustratedlady]

9. How Touching.

You were also lucky in that you listened to your father explain civil rights and were able to grasp the meaning of those famous words. Thank you!

[Greyskye]

10. Thanks for sharing that

:thumbsup:

[ClayZ]

11. Thank You!

Great story!

[GrumpyGreg]

12. What a wonderful memory.

[f-bush]

13. Wow thanks I know how you feel in a different setting....

I was almost six and we lived in Frankfurt in June of 1963. JFK was going to speak in Berlin, so my parents got a Lufthansa flight to Berlin and we got to see and hear that famous speech and whenever somebody talks about it, it sends chills up my spine. Partly due to the fact of what great leader I felt he was and also due to the fact of the great blessing I had to be at a major historical event.

King's speech would have been even more important. What a life making experience that must be for you. I appreciate the fact that you share it!!!!!!!!!!

Peace-Mike Collier

[Jokinomx]

14. Thank you for sharing your experience....

I was about your age at the time and remember the 60's as a time of great stress for our country. The riots and civil disorder. Your Father must have been a wonderful man.

:toast:

[Vidar]

15. Thank you.

[Hamlette]

16. I saw my dad cry three times in my life, one time was when he

described segregation after a trip he took to the south. I remember him saying "my country...in my country" as he wept at the injustice.

Some of us are so lucky to have had excellent role models.

[EC]

17. Welcome to DU and thanks.. n/t