Leaders throughout history have alluded to or directly referenced historical experiences to offer a point of reference to the current evolution of people across time. During times of great unrest, the people of a nation look to their leaders to offer guidance, giving direction and providing inspiration for the journey ahead. Two moments in the history of the United States of America indelibly linked through the social and political scope of the time are President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 “The Gettysburg Address”, one hundred years later in 1963 The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. presents his “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln monument. Speaking at pivotal points in history, both President Lincoln and Dr. King allude to past
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King’s speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. During that span of time the nation became united ending the civil war, but beginning another civil war of sorts. Opening his speech by paying homage to President Lincoln, Dr. King echoes the words of the former President: “Five score years ago…” (King). Dr. King’s allusion to President Lincoln in the opening lines of his speech sets the time and place in history from which he hopes to move forward. Dr. King directly alludes to the time of the civil war with his carefully chosen reference: “…let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!” (King) The battle of Lookout Mountain was a three-day battle during the larger battle of Chattanooga. The three-day siege was a pivotal move towards ending the war by breaking the Confederate lines and cutting off the supply routes. Stone Mountain, GA the site of many battles during the civil war was also a monument to the leaders of the Confederacy. Both these references by Dr. King point to the paramount importance of remembering the history of the country. Unlike President Lincoln, Dr. King acknowledges the momentous event at which he is speaking: “…what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.” (King) Pointing the direction forward by acknowledging events at which he is
King’s speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. During that span of time the nation became united ending the civil war, but beginning another civil war of sorts. Opening his speech by paying homage to President Lincoln, Dr. King echoes the words of the former President: “Five score years ago…” (King). Dr. King’s allusion to President Lincoln in the opening lines of his speech sets the time and place in history from which he hopes to move forward. Dr. King directly alludes to the time of the civil war with his carefully chosen reference: “…let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!” (King) The battle of Lookout Mountain was a three-day battle during the larger battle of Chattanooga. The three-day siege was a pivotal move towards ending the war by breaking the Confederate lines and cutting off the supply routes. Stone Mountain, GA the site of many battles during the civil war was also a monument to the leaders of the Confederacy. Both these references by Dr. King point to the paramount importance of remembering the history of the country. Unlike President Lincoln, Dr. King acknowledges the momentous event at which he is speaking: “…what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.” (King) Pointing the direction forward by acknowledging events at which he is