In one of the most important events in the struggle for American civil rights, on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. addressed nearly 250,000 people, giving his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The march began as a political rally for racial harmony, began by A. Philip Randolph, International President of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Dr. Martin Luther King presented this speech in a manner similar to that of a Baptist preacher, while also citing several prominent American documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation. Using several biblical and metaphorical allusions, Dr. King envisioned a society where black and white people could exist harmoniously. It is among the most famous speeches ever given.