Photos: Thousands Come Out to Celebrate Martin Luther King

Obama helps officially dedicate the King memorial.

A Moving Speech -  Thousands of people gathered Sunday at Washington D.C.'s National Mall for the official dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. In a moving speech, President Obama saluted King as a man who "stirred our conscience" and made the U.S. "more perfect."  He also rejoiced in the memorializing of the slain civil rights leader's life and work.(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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A Moving Speech - Thousands of people gathered Sunday at Washington D.C.'s National Mall for the official dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. In a moving speech, President Obama saluted King as a man who "stirred our conscience" and made the U.S. "more perfect."  He also rejoiced in the memorializing of the slain civil rights leader's life and work.(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Early Arrivals - Tens of thousands of people were expected to attend the dedication, which had been rescheduled from late August because of Hurricane Irene. Seeking to get good seats, some arrived as early as 5 a.m. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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Early Arrivals - Tens of thousands of people were expected to attend the dedication, which had been rescheduled from late August because of Hurricane Irene. Seeking to get good seats, some arrived as early as 5 a.m. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

A Sister Remembers - Dr. Christine King Farris, sister of Martin Luther King Jr., told the young people in the crowd, that King's message is that "Great dreams can come true and America is the place where you can make it happen." (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

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A Sister Remembers - Dr. Christine King Farris, sister of Martin Luther King Jr., told the young people in the crowd, that King's message is that "Great dreams can come true and America is the place where you can make it happen." (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

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Under Her Father's Watchful Eye - Elder Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., said the memorial is a long time coming and had been a priority for her mother, Coretta Scott King, who died in 2006. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

A Father's Legacy - Martin Luther King III said the memorial should serve as a catalyst to renew his father's fight for social and economic justice.  The problem is the American dream of 50 years ago ... has turned into a nightmare for millions of people" who have lost their jobs and homes, King said. (Photo: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

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A Father's Legacy - Martin Luther King III said the memorial should serve as a catalyst to renew his father's fight for social and economic justice.  The problem is the American dream of 50 years ago ... has turned into a nightmare for millions of people" who have lost their jobs and homes, King said. (Photo: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

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The Memorial - President Barack Obama speaks at a dedication ceremony of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington October 16, 2011. (Photo: REUTERS/Molly Riley)

Celebrating a King - People come out to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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Celebrating a King - People come out to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. - Rev. Al Sharpton arrives ahead of President Barack Obama speaking at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Rev. Al Sharpton - Rev. Al Sharpton said the dedication was about the ongoing fight for justice. During his speech as part of the dedication he called for people from around the world to walk through the stone of hope and emerge to see "the face that brought us from the back of the bus to the White House." (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Sing It, Aretha! - Soul legend Aretha Franklin sang King favorite Take My Hand, Precious Lord.  (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Sing It, Aretha! - Soul legend Aretha Franklin sang King favorite Take My Hand, Precious Lord.  (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

The First Ladies Hug - First Lady Michelle Obama hugs First Lady of Soul, Aretha Franklin. (Photo: REUTERS/Larry Downing)

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The First Ladies Hug - First Lady Michelle Obama hugs First Lady of Soul, Aretha Franklin. (Photo: REUTERS/Larry Downing)

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A Singing Tribute - Rev. Cal H. P. Merrell, of Atlanta, Georgia, and others sing Life Every Voice and Sing.  (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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A Singing Tribute - Rev. Cal H. P. Merrell, of Atlanta, Georgia, and others sing Life Every Voice and Sing.  (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Feeling King's Spirit - Members of the public take part in the dedication.  (Photo: AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

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Feeling King's Spirit - Members of the public take part in the dedication.  (Photo: AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Cliff Owen

Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee Rev. Joe Lowery offered up words of inspiration during the dedication ceremony.  (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee Rev. Joe Lowery offered up words of inspiration during the dedication ceremony.  (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. - “Congressman Payne stood out as a frame of reference because of his in-depth knowledge of every African leader and the challenges their countries faced. He used his knowledge and scholarly pursuits to help shape U.S. policies as they related to Africa. As he pursued expanding mutually beneficial ties with Africa, freeing [Nelson] Mandela, ending colonialism and expanding democracy in Africa, Donald Payne was a force for hope.”(Photo: AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

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A Great Leader - Rev. Jesse Jackson linked King's protest for social justice with Occupy Wall Street protests. (Photo: AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Witness to History - The Martin Luther King Memorial on the National Mall is the first of its kind to honor a Black man and non-president. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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Witness to History - The Martin Luther King Memorial on the National Mall is the first of its kind to honor a Black man and non-president. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

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Paying Homage to an Icon - Rep. John Lewis, who marched with King in the 1960s, addressed the crowd.(Photo: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

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Paying Homage to an Icon - Rep. John Lewis, who marched with King in the 1960s, addressed the crowd.(Photo: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedication - Thousands of people gathered on Sunday morning for the rescheduled dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. The ceremony featured speeches by President Obama, Rev. Al Sharpton, the King family and performances by Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder.(Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESSAP)

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A Private Moment - President Obama, center, his daughter Malia and Harry Johnson, president and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation, have a private viewing of the memorial. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Honoring the Man - Civil rights activist Andrew Young honored Dr. King.(Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

A Journalist Remembers - Journalist Dan Rather speaks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial dedication. (Photo: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

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A Journalist Remembers - Journalist Dan Rather speaks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial dedication. (Photo: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Awaiting the President - Audience members await the arrival of President Obama to the dedication site. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Awaiting the President - Audience members await the arrival of President Obama to the dedication site. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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A Homemade Symbol of Peace - People hold up a poster of King.(Photo: MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

The King Family - Martin Luther King III and other King family members listen as officially dedicates the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.(Photo: REUTERS/Larry Downing)

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The King Family - Martin Luther King III and other King family members listen as officially dedicates the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.(Photo: REUTERS/Larry Downing)