At 3 pm on Wednesday, August 28, guests and staff gathered on the front porch of Star Island’s Oceanic Hotel to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech originally delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony started with the ringing of Star Island’s chapel bell, which joined in a chorus of bells across New Hampshire to celebrate this moment. The bell ringing was followed by guests reading aloud King’s historic speech.

At the conclusion of the speech, a choir performed a traditional hymn involving all voices on the front porch. People then, as they were moved, went to the microphone and told stories of being at King’s speech in 1963, or continued singing.

Below are scenes from this afternoon’s event: