The $120 million memorial to Martin Luther King Jr opens to the public today August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. The memorial features a 30-foot-tall statue of civil rights leader and is located near the Tidal Basin on the Washington Mall. The official opening dedication will be on Sunday, August 28, 2011, the 48th anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
Qwanzza Nivens becomes emotional as she looks at the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial for the first time on opening day on August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
Lei Yixin, the Chinese sculptor who made the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial speaks about his work at the opening of the memorial on August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
With the Washington Monument in the background, the $120 million memorial to Martin Luther King Jr opens to the public today August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
With the Washington Monument in the background, the $120 million memorial to Martin Luther King Jr opens to the public today August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
Lei Yixin, the Chinese sculptor who made the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial speaks about his work. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
Lei Yixin, the Chinese sculptor who made the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial speaks about his work. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo
UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo