American Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The phrase “I have a dream” is famously used in a speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In this speech, King articulates his vision of a future where all individuals, regardless of race, would be treated equally and have the opportunity to pursue their dreams in a just society. This moment is significant in American history as it encapsulated the struggles for civil rights and social justice during the 1960s. King's powerful delivery and the resonance of his message inspired millions and is recognized as a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. The phrase has since become iconic, representing the ongoing fight for equality and justice.

While Ralph Ellison, Maya Angelou, and August Wilson are prominent figures in American literature, their works do not contain the phrase “I have a dream” in the same historical and cultural context as King's renowned speech.