DETROIT — It was 50 years ago today that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Monument in Washington D.C.

Aug. 28, 1963 would become a defining moment in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Nearly 250,000 witnessed as King shared his vision that one day "little black boys and black girls" would "be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

King first unveiled his "I Have a Dream" speech at Cobo Hall following the Great Walk to Freedom march down Woodward Avenue in Detroit on June 23, 1963.

A march celebrating that anniversary drew thousands to Detroit in June.

Detroit on 50th anniversary of historic MLK Jr. Freedom March 49 Gallery: Detroit on 50th anniversary of historic MLK Jr. Freedom March

Last week, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the "Dream" speech, Detroiters — and a mother and daughter from Ypsilanti — read a portion of the speech in front of the Spirit of Detroit statue at the Colemen A. Young Municipal Center.

See the video above.

King's speech in its entirety: