On January 17th we honor the memory and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist, spiritual leader, and proponent of non-violent direct action during the Civil Rights Movement in America. He worked to improve the lives of African-Americans, fighting oppression with civil disobedience and advocating for equality through systemic change.
Dr. King protested racial discrimination in federal and state laws across the country, famously organizing boycotts, sit-ins, and marches including the historic 1963 March on Washington, where on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. In 1964, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work.
On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee sparking riots and mourning across the nation. On the third Monday in January each year we honor the birth, memory, and history-altering work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a federal holiday to mark the occasion.
Continue below to learn more about the life and legacy of Dr. King, the history of the Civil Rights Movement, and resources for supporting social justice in your household or classroom. And be sure to watch the Learning at Home block on January 17th from 1-3pm for programs celebrating and commemorating the holiday.
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Learn About Martin Luther King Jr.
Books for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Grades PreK-4
From “Freedom Summer” to “Through My Eyes,” celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with these children’s books that explore the life and legacy of the civil rights icon.
Martin Luther King Day | All About the Holidays
Grades K-5
The third Monday in January is a national holiday observing the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Learn more about this leader of the civil rights movement and about how we honor him today.
Martin Luther King Jr. | Civil Rights Leader Video
Grades 3-8
In the second half of the 20th century, racial tensions rose in the US as African Americans began to challenge unjust laws that supported discrimination and segregation. This movement found its leader in the patient and inspiring minister, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Watch this short video and engage in two primary source activities to explore how King’s deep-seated commitment to nonviolence contributed to the expansion of social justice in the United States, particularly for African Americans.
The Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Civil Rights Movement
Grades 5-12
Historians reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Dr. King’s Philosophy | The King Center
Grades 6-12
Learn about the fundamental tenets of Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence, as described in his first book, Stride Toward Freedom, and the Six Steps for Nonviolent Social Change you can enact based on his nonviolent campaigns and teachings.
Out of the Shadows | Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise
Grades 9-12
On March 7, 1965, peaceful marchers calling for voting rights were attacked by the police in Selma, Alabama. The shocking images were broadcast on television, and galvanized the country. Outraged, President Lyndon Johnson astonished the nation by invoking the mantra of the Civil Rights Movement.
Learn About the Civil Rights Movement
Achievements of the Civil Rights Movement
Grades 3-12
In this video from GPB, learn how following the 1963 March on Washington, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that ensured that the rights of all people were protected, regardless of one’s race, gender, color, or national origin.
Activism in the Civil Rights Movement
Grades 6-8
In this interactive lesson, students will learn about the historical background of racial segregation. They will also learn about a number of brave individuals and groups who stood up against segregation during the 1950s and 1960s. Students will use media, text, and images to analyze the following question: What do the stories of individuals like Ruby Bridges and Rosa Parks, the Freedom Riders, and activists suggest about the role of citizens in shaping democracy?
The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington: Leadership at the March through Music and Speeches
Grades 6-12
While Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech became the most famous to come out of the March on Washington, he was by no means the only person to address the massive crowd assembled on the National Mall. Use this lesson plan to look at the other civil rights leaders and orators who spoke that day, and how effectively they conveyed their messages.
Civil Rights: Then and Now Collection
Grades 6-12
While students today may think of the Civil Rights Movement as part of the distant past, it’s clear that many of the problems that fueled that fight are still with us. This collection of videos, documents, and primary sources lends context to the events and leaders that defined the Civil Rights Movement’s first three decades (1954-1985). These resources also capture the issues and activists involved in the struggle today—those making headlines, stirring debate, and trending on social media.
Civil Rights: Demanding Equality | Democracy in America
Grades 9-12
Explore how our civil rights as Americans enforce protection against discrimination and exclusion, learn about the differences between the 1866 Civil Rights Act and 1964 Civil Rights Act, then review the history of affirmative action and answer questions about your opinion of the law, in this Democracy in America interactive activity from Annenberg Learner.
Social Justice & Allyship Resources
PBS KIDS Talk about: Race & Racism
Grades PreK-2
In the PBS KIDS Talk About: Race & Racism special, PBS KIDS spoke with real families and had conversations about racial identity, anti-Black racism, and how it is incumbent on all of us — children and parents alike — to actively work towards building a more equitable society.
Honoring the Real Meaning of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Grades PreK-3
This month, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. — a great figure of American and Black history. The story of Dr. King might feel complicated to discuss with our children. How can your family honor this hero and his life without glossing over the hard stuff?
Coming Together: The ABCs of Racial Literacy
Grades PreK-3
This growing set of resources from Sesame Workshop’s Coming Together initiative provides tools, sparks conversations and supports kids as they grow into allies and advocates. Recent additions include content to specifically address anti-Black racism as well as new resources aimed at children ages two to six.
Arthur on Racism: Talk, Listen, and Act
Grades PreK-5
Watch as Arthur talks about ways we can stand up for what’s right, then, use the “Civics for Young Learners” and “Making Your Classroom a Safe Space” resources to help children understand their role in making the world a better place for everyone!
Social Justice Books: Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books
Grades PreK-5
Children’s books continue to be an invaluable source of information and values. They reflect the attitudes in our society about diversity, power relationships among different groups of people, and various social identities. Carefully choosing quality children’s books is an indispensable educational and child-rearing task. Use this Guide from Social Justice Books to help you identify and select anti-bias children’s books for your family or classroom.
Common Sense Media: How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids
Grades 1-12
Media makes a big impression on kids. The messages you send — from the media you choose, to the conversations you initiate — are what kids will hold in their hearts and minds. Here are 10 ideas for how to use media to start and continue conversations about race and racism with your kids.
Confronting Anti-Black Racism Collection
Grades 6-12
Use these materials with middle and high school students to help them understand the long history of anti-Black racism in the United States, and think about ways to address it in their own families and communities. Resources include news coverage of recent protests, videos on the origins of the Black Lives Matter movement and protests against police brutality within the past decade, iconic PBS documentaries on the histories of race and racism in America, and activities addressing civic engagement and elevating students’ voices.
Learning at Home Programs
Check out the Mountain Lake PBS Learning at Home block on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for programs celebrating and commemorating the holiday.
Monday, January 17
1 PM: Opportunity and Promise: New York State Celebrates the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Few individuals have had such a profound impact on modern society as did Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This one-hour special is a tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. King by the citizens of New York State, showcasing people and organizations that embody the principles of one of America’s most significant leaders for social justice, freedom, and equality.
2 PM: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
The yearlyobservance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated in Plattsburgh, New York. Community leaders join together in song and words of inspiration to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy.