MLK National Civil Rights Musuem

MLK NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS Museum

By Owen H

Bus Boycott

Washington March

MLK Assasination

A turning point in the Civil Rights movement was created on April 4th, 1968. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. died when he was only 39. He was shot on a hotel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. A man was caught running from the scene. A car was also fired on by officers. The shot was fired from across the street. A hunting rifle was found a block away from the hotel. After King died, African Americans formed the black power movement. Some didn't believe in King's nonviolent philosophy, so some resorted to violence. Others went back to their African roots.

The Assassination of MLK

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This is the memorial dedicated to MLK. It's made of granite and stands at a towering 30ft. It's truly an incredible statue you should check out!

Known as the Lorraine Motel, this was the balcony on which MLK was shot dead. I wonder what would have happened if MLK stayed at another hotel, would the people who assassinated him still have gone through with their plan? 🤔

The people who were staying at the hotel at the time MLK was shot pointed police in the direction where a bullet was heard. You can really see the panic and chaos in this photo.

The March on Washington had multiple speakers, but of course, the most memorable speakers that day was Martin Luther's King "I have a Dream" Speech. Considered one of America's best speeches, King was poetic during his speech, got everyone's attention easily and paused to let his words sink in. The speech changed the Civil Rights moment and American History.

Room 02

"I have a Dream"

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This is the Washington Monument. This was in the background of the marches and King's speech. Over 250,000 people showed up, wow!! 🤩 The march and speech were of course successful and left people feeling inspired.

Although the backdrop of "I Have a Dream" was the Washington Monument, the speech was given on the steps to the Lincoln Memorial. During his speech, Lincoln looked down on Dr. King as he gave his speech, just like how Lincoln wanted all slaves free.

In this photo, we can see Dr. King giving his speech. The Speech lasted 17 minutes. After the speech, the audience erupted in applause. If you could write a speech to change something about the world, what would it be about? 🌍🤔

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was started from one incident that caused Rosa Parks and every black bus rider to stand up and make a change. On December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up a seat to a white person, leading to her arrest. Posters were put up saying to boycott the buses, and people would bike, walk, and carpool to work as an alternative. The boycott was a sucess, losing the bus company thousands in revenue, And after 382 days, a little bit over a year, segregated buses were declared unconsitutional.

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The Montgomery Bus Boycott

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This is the Rosa Parks Mugshot when she was arrested on December 1st, 1955. She had her trial held on the Monday following her arrest. This changed history. I wonder what would happen if she never gave up her seat? 🤔

This is one of the posters printed encouraging people to stay off the buses. A whopping 50,000 posters were printed!! 😳 People were REALLY outraged, as the bus drivers began to threaten black riders who didn't give up their seats.

This is the bus Rosa Parks was arrested on. This is the bus where history was made. After she got arrested on his bus, she quotes: "People say I didn't get up because I was tired, but that isn't true....the only tired I was, was tired of giving in".