MLK I have a dream trivia

King was supposed to speak for four minutes, but he spoke for over 16.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This didn’t cause a problem, however, because the program was running ahead of schedule and people were more than willing to stick around to hear Dr. King.

This was the first time King had ever made an “I Have a Dream” speech.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

King had used the phrase “I have a dream” in other speeches in many cities. However, this was the first time that most Americans had heard him use the phrase.

King had not planned on giving the speech that day; it was impromptu.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

During his speech Mahalia Jackson called out, “Tell them about the dream Martin!” and King began to speak, and some say preach, about his famous dream for equality.

King was honored at the march by letting him go last to give the keynote address to the marchers.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The truth is that no one wanted to go last. The speakers believed that the television news journalists would be gone by the end of the event. King volunteered to go last, and everyone stuck around to hear him deliver what would become one of the most important speeches in the history of the United States.

King’s speech was immediately recognized as a defining moment in civil right history

• True

• False

Answer explanation

King’s speech was praised by many in the days following the march, but it was only later that it became a defining moment in civil rights history.

The full name of the protest and march was “The March on Washington.”

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The actual name of the march was “The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.” The demands of the marchers included legal justice as well as economic equality for all

Two-thousand marshals were planted in the crowd by the U.S. government to keep the peace.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The 2,000 marshals that were scattered through the crowd were trained and provided by the organizers of the march themselves.