Quiz: How well do you know Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech?

Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Can you spot some of the biblical and historical references in King's speech?

On Aug. 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed the crowd gathered during the March on Washington, delivering his "I Have a Dream" speech. RNS file photo

How did the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. start his “I Have a Dream” speech?
- Five years ago...
- 125 years ago...
- Four score and seven years ago...
- Five score years ago...
King referenced Jesus’s words in Matthew 26:42 by saying what?
- "We have neglected the more important matters of the law---justice, mercy and faithfulness."
- "He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free."
- "Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred"
- "The Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints."
Which biblical passage on justice did King include in his speech?
- "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."
- "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another."
- "Seek justice, encourage the oppressed."
- "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
King said, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” What biblical passage is he alluding to?
- Genesis 3:21
- Amos 5:24
- Isaiah 40:4-5
- Psalm 45:3
Which historical passage did King quote?
- "Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety."
- "Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right...and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean of the characters and conduct of their rulers."
- "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
- "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."
When King said, “This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning,” which song was he referencing?
- "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
- "Amazing Grace"
- "America, the Beautiful"
- "My Country 'Tis of Thee"
What was almost not included in King’s speech?
- "Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
- "Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends."
- "I have a dream."
- "Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."
King ended his speech alluding to which biblical passage?
- "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
- "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"
- "Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed."
- "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
How long did it take King to deliver "I Have a Dream"?
- 17 minutes
- 9 minutes
- 43 minutes
- 23 minutes
How many people were in attendance for the speech?
- 100,000
- 200,000
- 150,000
- 250,000