The History Cat
The History Cat: u.s. History: The Civil Rights Movement
Outlines Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work as a civil rights leader from the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 up until his assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Describes the different protest movements, including the...
US House of Representatives
History, Art, and Archives: The Civil Rights Act of 1957
Read about the role of President Eisenhower in the impetus for the support of civil rights in 1957.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Civil Rights Movement
Article details important people, places, and events in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Leader Video
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...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
This lesson provides links for students to use as they explore history behind the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observance and the Civil Rights Movement. A strong focus is given to the economic barriers faced by African Americans.
Stanford University
Mlk and the Global Freedom Struggle: Civil Rights Act of 1964
Read about President John F. Kennedy's role in attempting to outlaw segregation, and, after Kennedy's assassination, President Johnson's role in making that happen with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Robin Chew
Lucidcafe: Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights Leader
Informative biographical sketch of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with links to Gandhi and good information about the philosophy of nonviolent social protest. Includes links to text of "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and the "I Have a Dream"...
Other
The Seattle Times: Martin Luther King Jr.
A complete resource on Martin Luther King, Jr. Contains a timeline on his life, audio files for some of his speeches, lesson plans, and more.
Stanford University
Mlk and the Global Freedom Struggle: Sit Ins
Read about the organization behind the sit-ins at southern businesses, first in Greensboro, North Carolina, then spread throughout the south. Of interest is the prominence of student-led protest. Be sure to look at the related events and...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Human Rights and Discrimination
This unit plan from the Utah Education Network engages students in understanding how authors backgrounds often impact their writing choices. "Human rights" and "discrimination" are the featured topics in the five texts incorporated in...
Other
People's World: The Chicago Freedom Movement: Summer of 1966
An informative and inspiring article about the African American struggle for civil rights in Chicago, 1966. The authors offer a first-hand account of protests against unfair housing and discrimination and the subsequent changes made.
A&E Television
History.com: How the 1968 Sanitation Workers' Strike Expanded the Civil Rights Struggle
With the slogan, "I am a man," workers in Memphis sought financial justice in a strike that fatefully became Martin Luther King, Jr.'s final cause. On February 12, 1968, 1,300 Black sanitation workers in Memphis began a strike to demand...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Activism in the Us
American sociopolitical activism became especially prominent during the period of societal upheaval which began during the 1950s. The African American civil rights movement led the way, soon followed by a substantial anti-war movement...
New York Times
New York Times: Martin Luther King, Jr.
An outstanding collection of materials for learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement. Students can engage in a text-to-text analysis of 'I Have a Dream' and 'The Lasting Power of Dr. King's Dream Speech'
A&E Television
Biography: Martin Luther King Jr. And Martin Luther: The Parallels Between the Two Leaders
In 1934, an African-American Baptist minister named Michael King made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and attended an international conference in Germany, where he learned about a native son and Protestantism founder Martin Luther....
Curated OER
National Park Service: Dr. King's Leadership and Character [Pdf]
This lesson plans looks at the leadership and character of Dr. King, and encourages students to draw connections to their lives. More lesson plans from the national parks service on civil rights and Dr. King can be found here:...
A&E Television
History.com: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a social activist and Baptist minister who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. King sought equality and human rights for African...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Martin Luther King, Jr.
This biography of Martin Luther King Jr. includes a timeline and addresses the life of the civil rights leader from childhood to the legacy he left behind.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "I Have a Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech to over 250,000 people from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In this speech, King discusses racial...
NBC
Nbc Learn: Finishing the Dream: 1965: We Shall Overcome
A collection of archival video clips highlighting a peaceful protest in Alabama in 1965 that ended in a confrontation with state troopers known as "Bloody Sunday." This was followed by a four-day march with Martin Luther King, Jr., and a...
Digital History
Digital History: Martin Luther King & Malcolm X on Violence & Integration [Pdf]
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were strong African-American leaders in the Civil Rights movement. Read about the differences in their approach to gaining civil rights for African-Americans. Find charts that compare their ideas on...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Martin Luther King, Jr. [In Spanish]
This resource offers a review of the life of this important man in the Civil Rights Movement. King believed in peaceful protests, instead of violence, to solve social problems. (In Spanish)
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Gains and Pains
Read about the legal gains made by the civil rights movement, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, juxtaposed against the real-life actions meant to deny African Americans their right to racial equality not just legally, but...
Other
Mlksb: Why We Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Learn why we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a holiday. Also gives a brief description on the life and work of Dr. King.