President Obama talks with Yolanda Renee King, 5, granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr., her mother Arndrea Waters, and Martin Luther King III
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The complete ceremony, forward to 30 minutes for the start:
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President Obama’s speech:
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Excerpt:
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With Trayvon Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, and Mark Barden, father of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victim Daniel Barden, Peter Yarrow, left, and Paul Stookey, right, of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary
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Rev. Joseph Lowery
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Stunning: Pres. Obama, the First Lady & former Presidents Clinton & Carter walk past statue of Lincoln (@PeteSouza) pic.twitter.com/W1gER8VtFV
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) August 29, 2025
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President Obama hugs Rep. John Lewis after Lewis delivered remarks
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Pres Obama delivers his remarks at the Lincoln Memorial pic.twitter.com/IEHYliSh6l
— petesouza (@petesouza) August 28, 2025
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Sandy Redman of Pine Top, N.C., cries as she listen to President Obama speak at the Lincoln Memorial
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A couple watches President Barack Obama speak on the display in Times Square
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Pres Obama w Mrs Obama waves to crowd from steps of Lincoln Memorial following speech pic.twitter.com/mVOuloi0FT
— petesouza (@petesouza) August 28, 2025
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What a beautiful day.
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To see all posts on the 50th anniversary click here - or click this image in the sidebar top right:
Let Freedom Ring!
What if Lincoln woke up to see the shambles his party is in now?
He’d lie back down.
He’d change is affiliate to DEMOCRAT.
Did Malia and Sasha get to attend?
O/T…but I could get behind this idea. Name the devastating hurricanes after the climate change deniers!
Sign the petition: http://www.climatenamechange.org/#/petition
Done and ….
Yes We Can
Many thanks! I thought maybe I shouldn’t have put this up here now with all the discussion of the day still going on, but it was too good to pass on.
It’s totally consistent, df, with the type of activism that today inspires - if we don’t defeat the climate change deniers, soon, we won’t be worried about civil rights because humanity will become extinct.
Thanks:)
OMG I love this. We will be coming into hurricane season soon. I’m in. I don’t care what NOAH names them, I will refer to them after climate change deniers. LOL Liberals and ‘real’ progressives have such creative ways to get their points across.
That picture of the child on his father’s shoulders is so profound. I saw that over and over again today. I am so proud of those parents that brought their kids today because they wanted them to be a part of history. It just melt my heart to see that today.
Thanks for posting all of this. I had to work all day and even though I was missing it all I knew I would find it here. Donna I agree. That picture of the little boy on his father’s shoulders took my breath away. What a wonderful event. We have so much to do.
MLkIII little girl is just precious. I did not realize that she is the only grandchild of MLK,Jr. Wonder why he waited so late to marry.
“Wonder why he waited so late to marry.”
HUH??!??
Well, he is in his 50’s and he did marry his longtime girlfriend in about 2006 and I was wondering why he waited so late to marry. By the way, hopefruit I love what you said about President Obama being larger than the Presidency.
Okay, I see what you’re saying. Although I don’t know how long they were together before he got married. Maybe circumstances didn’t permit.
Maybe he just waited until he met the right person, VL?!
Well normally people get married younger. Also I see that his brother just got engaged and he is in his 50’s, soooo……
So what?
So I was just wondering aloud. Are you looking for an argument?
Jeez. Have no interest in an argument with you at all VL, just curious about your tone towards the MLK brothers on a day as lovely as this, is “soooo……” meant to insinuate something?
Don’t have a ‘tone’ towards them. I admire them. I like to observe things about things people do and why they do them. I have an ‘inquiring mind’.
We’re marching!
meta, that segment of his speech will become iconic in the resurgence of the civil rights movement ….
Yes We Can
can’t wait to see the whole things. I’m going to skip all the clips and watch it unfold au natural on Cspan. I just know it was great!
You can see it all in this video too, LunarSea, just forward to 30 minutes:
Holy crap you got the whole dang thang! Glad I wasn’t in that alley when you went to get it.
You do deserve an award. Es verdad
Venus lost in third set 7-6. So Venus is out.
Dang!
What a sweet redemptive day. It was as riveting as a 1963.
Greetings all. Tried to stay abreast of all the happenings today but too busy. Did sneak peaks during the day and was soo sad I couldn’t fully soak in all the speeches, songs, interviews etc, but thankfully I had TOD to help me keep up. Thanks you all. Hope the TODers that got to be there had a fantastic time.
I checked Cspan just as I came in and lo and behold just in time for a replay! yeah. So now it’s off to see previous post and catch up. But again wanted to give a great big thanks to everyone who keeps the info alive and flowing and a giant hug to you ChipsChica for this wonderful oasis.
Off I go! (on a new computer, hope I got me username correct and don’t land in netherland - wish me luck)
A monster hug for you too LunarSea, thank you!
:lol:
Admiral I missed the PBS interview. Is there a chance you can post a copy or link to a copy?
Hiya Shipmate, looking for a link, struggling to find one, will keep trying!
Some clips:
That will probably be on our TV at 5.30pm today - we get the PBS news hour. I gave up watching it some time in 2010. I will watch it today - good to see PBO on the “big screen”. i usually only see him on the intertubes
Checking in to say that I am in complete agreement with the opinions of TOD re: Syria.
Meaning, I do not want us to go to war in any way,
BUT if PBO decides that military action is the right thing to do I trust our President and will back his decision.
This is a fair summary, right?
Vicki, in my opinion the person least desiring of military action is President Obama. How to punish a pariah State that gasses its children, women and men is a complex issue in any situation. I agree with you that President Obama has earned our trust and we know how reluctant he is to place in American in harms way. Whatever he does, he will have done it motivated not by politics, #NEOCON notions of American exceptionalism, MIC corporate greed, or any other corrupt premise.
#FORWARD Together
^any American^ not ^in American^
Agreed.
Thank you Cindy!
Thank you, Bob. That clarifies the issue for me.
You’re welcome, Vicki!
#NEOCON notions of American exceptionalism
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It is just so funny when they tout american exceptionalism, yet they believe we are weak and lazy and our government is no good.
That’s my feelings. That and wanting to scream that we do nothing until we match dollar for dollar money to replace that lost in the sequester for money spent on this mission. But then I think of all the people suffering from those chemicals and know I can never be like republicans. And strangely I’m okay with that.
Vicki, I trust our president 100%. I know that this is something he does not want either, and he doesn’t take it lightly. I’ve got his back.
Chips, absolutely terrific coverage today
Aaaaaah, thank you Rikyrah, a glorious day!
I’ll second, third and fourth that nomination!!! :)
Fifth, sixth & seventh
Time is a funny thing when you get older. I was 23 on this
I memorable day in 1963, but these past 50 years just evaporated as I watched today. What a circle was drawn today from then to now.
Yes, I do believe today was redemptive, and that we will see results from today for many years, as we have seen results from 1963 for many years.
I couldn’t help but think of all the events that happened later in the 60s…….it was a difficult decade, as many have been since then. But, we do have these uplifting, inspiring days that carry us forward.
I watched MLK’s speech on MSNBC just now, and noticed how PBO wove in some of the scripture King used into his speech.
I believe these two men are the best speakers in American history…..content, delivery, warmth, reality, sincerity.
As my husband remarked after I read Donna Dem’s comment to him…..”We saw him here. Only twenty feet away.”
Thank you Donna for that wonderful report…….put me there.
Carolyn, I remember when President Obama used this statement in his 2007 announcement for running for president: justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I believe that was the moment I fell in love with him :)
Hola chicas y chicos, amigos y amigas. (I know 25 words of Spanish!) What a GREAT DAY!!! And not a refugglian in sight! Weird, there must have been SOMEONE?? Condi? JC Watts…..any?
Magapie!!!!!!! How are ya?!
Doing well, thanks for asking!!!! This is where I would normally mention how awesome you and TOD are and also the other TOD keepers and entire TOD family. But I know you’re getting tired of hearing it….
No, no, carry on! :lol: Mighty fine to hear you’re doing well!
just lincoln! and he was there in a very big way…. :)
aloha chips and todville! sorry to have slipped into lurkdom lately, but so grateful for this wonderful blog for all the important news! i knew i’d get the best (only) great pix here, and the most comprehensive reporting on this wonderful day. thank you again and again ms chips!
Greeeeeeeeat to see ya Suzanne, hope all’s good?
hiya chips! yep, pretty good right now. we had a big family gathering, released my mother’s ashes into the pacific. very beautiful, and full of wonderful moments together.
Oh Susanne, what a beautiful way to release your Mom from this world, may she rest in peace.
thank you chips <3
116 House members say Obama needs approval from Congress on Syria
Rebecca Shabad
08/28/13 03:23 PM ET
Sixteen Democrats have signed the letter, which says Obama would violate the Constitution by striking Syria without congressional approval.…
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Democrats WERE all set up for 2014 midterms and as if they don’t want the house back. Party unity- none! Every man for himself!
ok, they showed the entirety of the MLK Speech on Chris Hayes and my first thought was, this will probably result in the highest rating ever for Up With Christ…lol
hehehe dancing koalas would result in one of the highest rated viewings for that show.
Our Koalas would refuse to participate in that show :)
but they would do wonders for his ratings. :grin:
Squirrels to that - as the Koalas would say :) :)
Nothing can help his ratings.
Hayes is pandering for ratings and once again, exploiting MLK and (mostly) viewers of color and PBO supporters to boost his flagging ratings, because those racist Libertarian emoprogs he caters to 99% of the time sure won’t be watching.
You could have seen MLK’s entire speech on youtube, or PBS without giving Hayes the ratings which he DOESN’T deserve.
Love that do on ‘My Michelle’
woo hoo I get to see junkeroo (or however it’s spelled) Yeah
s/b junkanoo lol
I have always loved my Nancy Smash but on Sunday when she talked about being at the original march my jaw dropped. Talk about a phenomenal woman! And her daughter is of the same clothe. So frigging kewl Can’t wait to read her memoirs.
What I didn’t know was going to happen & what I loved was seeing Carolyn Kennedy on the dias today - good vibes.
So nice to come to one site and see it all.
Loved seeing her there too 99ts, the only thing is I still think MLK and JFK’s children should be, well, children …. oh, I feel old!
at 21 you’re not allowed to ‘feel old’
bah, young whippersnappers!
Thank you for remembering my, um, latest age, LunarSea!!!
I know, it gets hard to keep up sometimes, but us ‘young folk’ gotta stick together!
Youngsters United!!!
I am thus ancient - my world of good things post WWII fell apart when JFK died - I will always hear my mother’s shrieks when she heard it on the radio. And this was in a country on the other side of the world.
Just had to bring this over.
This day was indescribable! Because of my disability, I was in allowed to sit in a great section. Beause of this, I was able to scoot around and take pictures of some great folk: Oprah, John Lewis, ElijahCUmmings, Jaime FOxx, Al Sharpton, Bill Russell…..I couldn’t believe it, all these folk passed right near us, and they were gracious to a fault.
Everything was timed well; the event stayed on schedule. The performances and speeches were all good.
I got to talk with and photograph the three young girls who sang The Star Spangled Banner.
I thought all the presidents’ speeches were great, but President Obama’s was simply elegant.
WHat a blessed day.
Also, saw Joy Reid, Eugene Robinson, Chris Matthews, and Jesse Jackson, Forest Whitaker, Eric holder
wow how fantastic.
How wonderful for you, Eve! A day for the ages and one never to be forgotten. So glad that you shared this with us:)
WOW!! Eve, good for you and thank you for sharing the details of your lovely experiences!!!
Oh, Eve, how wonderful for you. I’m so glad you got this great opportunity.
Chips, these are beautiful images. Thank you so much for your terrific coverage this week. You are magnificent.
Well, see, this is where we’ll get in to a fight, Chelsea Girl, because nothing - NOTHING - matched your live tweeting. I’ll only accept your very lovely words if you promise to accept the fact that you’re awesome. Deal?
You got it buddy. Deal!
p.s. Thank you so much for the kind words and the appreciation of the live tweeting. Thank you.
I flippin’ hope this is the only deal between Manchester United and Chelsea before transfer deadline day - HANDS OFF WAYNE!!!!
HA! He can’t resist the preciousssssss.
Sooner or later he’ll be rocking the blue.
Angry Wayne is Angry:
PS Ah bless, look at that little tuft of hair - no, not now, when he was a baby.
He wishes he actually had that tuft of hair right now instead of squirrel hair.
You’re just upset because you lost 0-0 :roll:
:lol: You win - 0-0.
Seriously Chips, your coverage of this event today for instance, was just incredible. Between Chips excellent photos, videos, captions, titled posts, etc, and UT’s livetweets, TODers ALWAYS have the best seat in the house!!! (Lurkers…you know what I’m talking about, why else do you lurk HERE)?
I have to give special thanks to the other fabulous Blog Tyrants too - Lovelyplains, Liberal Librarian, amk, zizi, etc..
Finally went back top to check out all the pictures. There are a lot of iconic images there. Words fail me!
ROFLMAO
Catching up…
Saw that Chips’ tweeted out that gorgeous photo from @Interior this morning. No doubt she posted it on an earlier thread, but no regrets for duplicating breathtaking beauty.
OMG the bodies on those mauri men from New Zealand. OMG Loving their performance.
Love all the ethnic groups included in this day’s celebration. People are representing. It’s a global family now. That must really scare those who fear change (and who shall remain nameless lest they spoil this wonderful day).
For Vicki, LDS and other NYCers.
Go de Blasio!
this is a huffNpuff pollster and it shows. Look how wrong they were. they made some major adjustments at the end there to make themselves look credible.
Must say tho that Weiner 7.6% made me smile.
Hahahaha! One MORE thing for the emos to be mad about.
Chipsticks, thank you for making it possible for me to be able to share in this beautiful day.
Love ya!
LoooooOOOOoooooOOOoooooove ya right back GGail, thank you!!
PS Where’s VC? Has she been arrested yet?
I don’t watch Maddow much if at all anymore, but the first segment of her show tonight was stellar. Watch it once the video is available.
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/08/28/barack-obama-hope/
Have only been lurking for the last few days, there is a reason. I lived this. I was young, idealistic, and very emotional. My mother banned me from newspapers and tv following RFK’s death - for me, for my health. I hated that at the time; I marvel that she had the courage and foresight to do so. I love the picture above of our President, First Lady, Carter and Clinton. (and yes, to you Clinton haters on here … get over it). I am a Democrat; I have been since I was 10 years old - long before I could make my voice known. I love that picture. This is so much for me. I cannot handle it emotionally.
Lovely altogether.