Throughout history, America has been the place of arrival for immigrants in search of a better life. America is perceived as the land where endless opportunities are available. The greatest explanation of the American dream is the speech of Martin Luther King, Jr.; I have a dream. Dr. King's speech is more like a testimony to the truth, rather than a speech. At the time of his speech, African Americans were not free, while the Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. Dr. King's movement pioneered the idea that there is an American Dream. The idea that someone can be everything they want to be. This idea is still relevant today in America. Americans pursue their dream every day by having the opportunity to attend college and work. Although America is the land of endless opportunities, Americans take these opportunities for granted, while other parts of the world make it a life goal to get here. At certain times in history the American Dream has not been available to some races. Rather it could be the Japanese during World War I or African Americans during the Civil War. The land of opportunity has prevented people from achieving their dreams. Our country has gone through great trials of racism. The great Martin Luther King Jr. worked his entire life to change these things. King made history when he gave his I Have a Dream speech in the nation's capital in 1963. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident to all men are created equal(296). Because Dr. King followed his dream, he made it possible for others to follow theirs. Compared to other countries, America is known throughout the world as a pl...... middle of paper ...... of the American dream is still achievable. Receiving a higher education is becoming easier to obtain if someone cannot afford an education. Every legal citizen of the United States is expected to have an education that helps them achieve their dream. Works Cited “The American Dream Traced the Hard Way.” Weekend edition Saturday. (February 16, 2008): Literature Resource Center. Storm. Chattanooga State Community College. November 24, 2009 .King, Marin Luther Jr. “I Have a Dream.” Writing on the river. Ed. Jessica Portz. 2nd edition. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2009. 294-297. Print.Warshaurer, Matteo. “Changing conceptions of the American dream.” Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. December 12, 2003. Web. November 21 2009.