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. Each year, on the third Monday in January, we honor the birth, memory, and history-altering work of Dr. King with a federal holiday marking the occasion.
Continue below to learn about Dr. King’s life and legacy, the history of the Civil Rights Movement, and activities to extend learning for home and in the classroom.
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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 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 3-12
Historians reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign
Grades 6-12
Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King’s efforts to address systemic poverty and economic injustice in the late 1960s with the launch of his Poor People’s Campaign and his support for the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, in these video excerpts from Roads to Memphis | AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
Out of the Shadows | Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise
Grades 9-12
In this lesson, students view video clips from the film Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise covering the strengths and weaknesses of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, as well as the impact of the Black Power movement on civil rights. They also explore Martin Luther King, Jr.’s controversial trip to Chicago that exposed racism and institutional segregation in the North.
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?
Excerpts from the March on Washington
Grades 6-12
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech dominates popular history of the August 1963 March on Washington, but the day was full of speakers and performers. These audio compilations, recorded live at the March, capture the voices of a number of speakers from that day.
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.
Activities, Lesson Plans & More
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?
Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism | PBS KIDS for Parents
Grades PreK-5
This collection from PBS KIDS for Parents includes a variety of videos, articles, reading lists, and activities to help you have meaningful conversations with young children about race, racism, and being anti-racist. Additional external resources for parents and older children are also included.
Stand Up, Sit In, Speak Out Lesson Plan | ARTHUR
Grades K-2
In this lesson from the PBS KIDS series ARTHUR, students examine activism and how ordinary people can be part of powerful collective movements that bring change. First, have students watch “Arthur Takes a Stand,” then discuss taking action against things they believe are unjust, and finally, explore different ways people take action by brainstorming a list of issues in their own community that they would like to change.
“I Have A Dream” Vision Board
Grades 1-5
Creating a vision board inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. is a great way to spark a conversation with your child about the positive impact that kind, helpful people can have in the lives of others!
The Power of Art to Create Change | The Express Way with Dulé Hill
Grades 9-12
Can art inspire activism and social change? Learn from playwright James Warren’s story about overcoming challenges and addressing community violence.