The MLK MUSEUM

"I Have a Dream" Speech

Civil Rights Legislation

MLK Assasination

Join the learning adventure HERE!

A Vada & Avery Creation

The MLK Museum

Martin Luther King was one of the most influential speakers of the Civil Rights Movement. On the 4th of April, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Tennessee, MLK was shot. This caused a national uproar and was the headline of all the newspapers. Martin Luther King was dead. The nation was in shock. He was the one who had helped start the marches and an effort to make facilities equal. What would happen to the Civil Rights Movement? Who would step up to lead all the African Americans? How would the nation recover from this news? These are all questions that would be answered as time went on.

Artifacts

Back to events

Overview

MLK Assassination

03

People were horrified and scared after the death of their most influencial speaker.

02

News spread quickly, and MLK became the headline of all of the newspapers.

01

MLK before the assasination.

MLK Assassination Artifacts

Back to events

03

02

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer

Tickets

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a very important and influential person during the Civil Rights Movement. He was mainly known for leading several marches, including the Birmingham and Selma marches. But what he is most famous for is his "I Have A Dream speech." Because of the impact he made in leading the nation to be more integrated, he has made many enemies. Even though many people were ecstatic because of the changes he made, many were happy with how things were. This led to the tragic event when MLK was assassinated on April 4, 1968 while he was standing outside his hotel room in Mamphis, Tennesse.

Back to artifacts

Nobody could have expected this violent end to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His entire time leading the marches, he strived for non-violence, and positive changes for black people. Opposite to his motto his was killed in one of the most violent ways possible. The country never could have expected this to occur. News spread quickly, and people were horrified. Black communities gathered in the streets crying and discussing this tragic event. It left people wondering who would be the next leader, and what the future would look like with their most influential leader gone.

Back to artifacts

After the tragic death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the world was in shock and didn't know how to respond. MLK had made such a great difference during the Civil Rights Movement. His assassination showed that white people were not happy about blacks gaining more rights, and facilities becoming shared. It also showed they would choose violence to stop desegregation. Lastly, it left the country without a leader in these movements. He had been the face of the marches and movements. So, it left people scared, and wondering what would happen next.

Back to artifacts

Artifacts

Back to events

Overview

"I Have a Dream" Speech

After the Birmingham and Selma marches, Dr. Martin Luther King gave his famous speech proclaiming his dream for the future. King's allusions to the Gettysburg Address show that there was still unfinished work. He believed that not much progress had happened and that more goals still needed to be achieved. Even though the progress is slow, good things have happened and advancement has been made. Martin Luther King discusses how even though slavery has been outlawed, "the Negro still is not free." Society has still not fully accepted them and made them feel equal. Dr. Martin Luther King's speech is one of the most historic and important speeches for the Civil Rights Movement.

Martin Luther King during his speech.

03

A comparison of the Gettysburg Address and "I Have a Dream" speech.

02

01

Martin Luther King leading the Selma Marches.

"I Have a Dream" Speech Artifacts

Back to events

03

02

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer

Tickets

Martin Luther King was one of the main leaders of this influential march. Even though the people were beaten and attacked, they never gave up hope. The march finally reached its destination on the third attempt on March 21, 1965. This showed that African Americans could make progress happen. It gave all Black people hope and led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Dr. Martin Luther King gave the "I Have a Dream" speech two years before this march took place. This march achieved some of the goals MLK had set in his speech and took real steps towards progress.

Back to artifacts

On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King gave a speech that would never be forgotten. "I Have a Dream" illustrated the goals MLK had for the African American community and how he anticipated that some day, all men would be treated equally. He began by talking about how the "Negro" had been freed from captivity, but they still were not free. They still faced issues and did not have all the rights the white people did. Anytime they tried to protest, they were beaten and shut down, yet they did not give up hope. In MLK's speech, he brings to light all of the trials the "Negro" has had to face, so that one day, we could learn from that to make laws to make the U.S. a better place.

Back to artifacts

In MLK's speech, he makes many allusions to the Gettysburg Address that greatly add to "I Have a Dream." He begins by using a similar phrase to Lincoln by saying, "Five score years ago," as the Gettysburg Address started with, "Four score and seven years ago." Lincoln and MLK both discussed that there was still a great task remaining before them and that change needed to happen. In the 100 years between their speeches, there was still unfinished work. King believed that although some steps had been taken, there were still many goals to be achieved. In both of these speeches, the spokesperson discusses the goals, problems, and hopes for the future.

Back to artifacts

Artifacts

Back to events

Overview

Civil Rights Legislation

Civil Rights legislation was a huge step forward for African Americans and finally started to achieve some of MLK's goals. In the span of two years, segregation was made illegal, and African Americans were ensured the right to vote by banning literacy tests and the poll tax. This gave black people a say in politics and who would govern them. Even though the people had been hurt and segregated, integration was now starting to happen. These laws would ensure that African Americans would be treated equally.

03

The Voting Rights Act of 1965.

02

The Civil Rights Act description.

01

An explanation of the 24th Amendment.

Civil Rights Legislation Artifacts

Back to events

03

02

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer

Tickets

People knew that the 15th Amendment said nobody could be denied the right to vote based on race or color. So, the Poll Tax was created around 1870 to limit blacks voting rights. It stated that you had to pay to vote, and many freed slaves couldn't afford to. In 1964, the 24th Amendment was created. The Amendment banned the poll tax. They realized that black people should be able to vote for who they want to govern them. Even if they don't have enough money to pay to vote. After the 24th Amendment, more changes started happening. Including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, nad the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Back to artifacts

Ever since the Civil War ended in 1865, and slaves were freed, segregation had been a huge problem. Frederick Douglass described the situation as "free from the individual master, but a slave of society". Blacks were now free, but nothing was equal. The facilities that they were forced to use were never as nice as the "white-only" ones. That is why, in 1964, the Civil Rights Act made segregation illegal and "outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin". This was a humongous step forward for black people.

Back to artifacts

Literacy tests were created around 1890 to prevent blacks from voting. They tested to see if you could read and write, and many black people didn't have good, or any education. This wasn't fair because even if some blacks didn't get a proper education, they still should be able to vote for who they wanted. This is why in 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed. It banned literacy tests and ensured African Americans could vote without obstacles. This was a huge step forward for black people. Now they would have an even larger say in who is governing them, so then more changes will continue to happen.

Back to artifacts