The final refrain of Martin Luther King Jr.'s most famous speech will echo around the world as bells from churches, schools and historical monuments "let freedom ring" in celebration of a powerful moment in civil rights history.

Most of the commemorations will happen Wednesday at 3 p.m. locally or to coincide with 3 p.m. eastern time, the hour when King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington 50 years ago.

Quoting from the patriotic song, "My Country 'tis of Thee," King implored his audience to "let freedom ring" from the "hilltops" and "mountains" of every state, some of which he mentioned as examples in his speech.

On Wednesday, bells will ring from each of those particular sites, and beyond.

[Associated Press]

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