Images of a Dedication: The MLK Memorial

Dr. Christine King Farris, sister of Martin Luther King Jr., waves after speaking at the dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial on the National Mall, Oct. 16, 2011, in Washington, D.C. President Barack Obama, entertainers, civil rights leaders and others attended the ceremony to formally dedicate the memorial to the civil rights leader, who was assassinated in 1968.

First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden watch as soul diva Aretha Franklin sings.

Young attendees await the beginning of the ceremony.

Roland Martin, the first emcee of the morning, addresses the crowd.

Many members of the audience responded emotionally to the proceedings.

A view of the 30-ft "Stone of Hope" sculpture.

Martin Luther King III, son of Martin Luther King Jr., and his family welcome the crowd.

Civil rights legend Andrew Young gets the crowd fired up.

Kathryn Hammond Weaver of Washington, D.C., is moved by the ceremony. 

Gospel duo Mary Mary performs.

Barack Obama, flanked by daughters Sasha and Malia, examines a time capsule, along with Michelle Obama and Michelle's mother Marian Robinson as they arrive for the dedication.

The Obamas emerge through the "Mountain of Despair" sculpture to make their way to the stage for the president's speech.

The president listens to Harry Johnson, president and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Foundation, as he tours the grounds with his family before the dedication.

The crowd listens to President Barack Obama's address.

Grammy-nominated recording artist Ledisi pauses while singing "What a Wonderful World" with Stevie Wonder.

Nikki Giovanni addresses the crowd.

Violinist Miri Ben-Ari and PoemCees perform.

Gwen Ifill of PBS was one of the emcees of the event.

People in the audience hold hands in solidarity.

Cicely Tyson tells the crowd that Amandla Stenberg represents a new generation of leaders to fulfill King's dream.

Diahann Carroll was one of many celebrities in attendance.

Rev. Al Sharpton fires up the crowd.

Sweet Honey in the Rock were one of the many musical acts to take the stage.

In addition to the thousands of attendees, members of the media were also there to record the historic event.