Tag Archives: Martin Luther King Jr.

Today in History: Martin Luther King Jr. Delivers “I Have a Dream” oration

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gathered with scores of other civil rights leaders and more than 200,000 demonstrators for the March on Washington, an event that would later help inspire passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. In a new post from Bessette-Pitney Textbook blog, your students can engage in a close reading of King’s remarks, studying the allusions and historical references … Read more »

George Raveling and the “I Have a Dream” Speech

On August 28, 1963, young volunteer George Raveling stood near Martin Luther King Jr. at the podium for his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. After the speech, Raveling was given a piece of history—King’s personal copy of the speech—and recently spoke to CBS News about his experience at the March on Washington and the legacy of King’s remarks.

Did you know? Facts about the March on Washington

As the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington nears, we’re sharing stories of the march and its impact on the Civil Rights Movement. Scott Armstrong from the Christian Science Monitor has compiled a list of ten facts about the March on Washington that you may not know.  

Primary Documents and the March on Washington

We’re quickly approaching the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington! Put your students in the situation of the marchers with the help of an amazing interactive feature from Time magazine, “One Dream,” which chronicles the historic march with interviews of the participants.

Best Resources for Teaching the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, perhaps the most influential event of the Civil Rights Movement, which culminated in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. We’ve compiled a top ten list of resources to teach students about the March on Washington.

A Lesson on Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech

By Anne Continetti

Download the full lesson as a PDF.

Course | U.S. History/A.P. U.S. History, 9–12 

Context | This lesson can be used during a unit on the Civil Rights Movement or in remembrance of the March on Washington or Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday holiday.

Civil Rights Education in America

With the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington approaching, professor and historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. asks what American students know about the Civil Rights Movement. His answer? Not much. 

Today in History: President Johnson signs Voting Rights Act into law

On August 6, 1965, surrounded by civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. The landmark piece of legislation was designed to enforce the 15th Amendment and prohibited states from imposing any race-based voting qualifications that would abridge the right of any citizen to vote. In particular, the legislation prohibited the imposition of … Read more »

Today in history: March from Selma to Montgomery

On March 21, 1965, 3,000 civil rights protesters joined Martin Luther King Jr. to begin the 54-mile-march from Selma, Alabama to the state capitol building in Montgomery. The first attempt at the march—which was organized to protest against racial injustice and, particularly, the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson, an African American protester who was killed by an Alabama state trooper the previous month—occurred on Sunday, March 7. … Read more »

Cornel West on the moral obligations of living in a democratic society

As we continue our celebration of Black History Month, have students read and discuss Cornel West’s essay “The Moral Obligations of Living in a  Democratic Society.” In the essay, West, a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, examines the need for members of a democracy to understand their common history in order to take seriously their obligations to the future of their democratic order. West is … Read more »