Marching To The Mountaintop: The Inspiring Story of Martin Luther King Jr.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and delivered his iconic speech, "I Have a Dream." This pivotal moment in American history marked the peak of the civil rights movement and solidified King's legacy as a symbol of hope and inspiration for millions of people around the world.

Early Life and Education

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the second child of Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Growing up in a religious household, King was exposed to the values of equality, justice, and nonviolence from an early age.

Marching to the Mountaintop: How Poverty, Labor Fights and Civil Rights Set the Stage for Martin Luther King Jr's Final Hours

by Ann Bausum (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14438 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	112 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

King excelled academically and attended Morehouse College at the age of 15. It was during his time at Morehouse that he became aware of the racial inequality prevalent in society. Inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Henry David Thoreau, King developed a deep commitment to peaceful resistance and social change.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott

In 1955, King became involved in the civil rights movement after the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery bus. The incident sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, an organized protest against racial segregation on public transportation in Alabama.

King emerged as a prominent leader during the boycott and helped mobilize the African American community. The campaign lasted for over a year and ultimately resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.

The March on Washington

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held on August 28, 1963, was a watershed moment in the civil rights movement. It brought together over 200,000 people from diverse backgrounds to demand equal rights for African Americans.

During the march, King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, in which he articulated his vision of a future where racial equality would prevail. The speech resonated with the American public and remains one of the most influential speeches in history.

Nobel Peace Prize and Legacy

King's dedication to nonviolent resistance and his leadership in the civil rights movement earned him numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. At the age of 35, he became the youngest recipient of this prestigious award.

Tragically, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. His death sent shockwaves around the world and ignited riots in many cities across the United States. However, his legacy continues to inspire and motivate generations to fight against injustice and inequality.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s journey from a young activist to an internationally recognized figure was a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and equality. His vision of a society free from racial discrimination continues to shape the aspirations of millions of people worldwide. As we remember his contributions to the civil rights movement, we are reminded of the power of peaceful protest and the importance of striving for a more just and inclusive society.

Marching to the Mountaintop: How Poverty, Labor Fights and Civil Rights Set the Stage for Martin Luther King Jr's Final Hours

by Ann Bausum (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14438 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	112 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In early 1968 the grisly on-the-job deaths of two African-American sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, prompted an extended strike by that city's segregated force of trash collectors. Workers sought union protection, higher wages, improved safety, and the integration of their work force. Their work stoppage became a part of the larger civil rights movement and drew an impressive array of national movement leaders to Memphis, including, on more than one occasion, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King added his voice to the struggle in what became the final speech of his life. His assassination in Memphis on April 4 not only sparked protests and violence throughout America; it helped force the acceptance of worker demands in Memphis. The sanitation strike ended eight days after King's death.

The connection between the Memphis sanitation strike and King's death has not received the emphasis it deserves, especially for younger readers. Marching to the Mountaintop explores how the media, politics, the Civil Rights Movement, and labor protests all converged to set the scene for one of King's greatest speeches and for his tragic death.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.

Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.