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.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: The Civil Rights Era
This two-part feature on African American history offers an in-depth look at the events of the 1960's civil rights movement. Discusses voting rights, laws, military segregation, freedom rides, sit-ins and the NAACP. Includes historic...
Digital History
Digital History: Black Nationalism and Black Power
There were two methods of protesting discrimination of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement: follow Martin Luther King, Jr. or Malcolm X. Find out about the Black Panther Party, Black Nationalism, and Black Power.
Stanford University
Martin Luther King, Jr. And the Global Freedom Struggle
This article takes readers through the events leading to the expansion of the Civil Rights Movement to the north through a major non-violent campaign protesting unfair housing practices in Chicago.
Stanford University
Stanford University: Dr. King Charismatic Leadership in a Mass Struggle
The author(the foremost living authority on Dr. King today) examines the idea and role charisma played in King's leadership style and abilities. The author argues that his use of charisma was not all Dr. King utilized.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I Have a Dream"
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech to hundreds of thousands of Americans at what is known as the March on Washington. This now-famous speech was both an apex and catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement in...
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr.
This site will let you hear from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his own words in a letter written from a Birmingham jail cell in April of 1963. In this letter, Dr. King defends himself against accusations that he is an "outsider" and...
Other
Colorado College: A Brief History of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
A very good explanation of the problems and political machinations that happened behind the scenes in both the House of Representatives and Senate as the wording of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was developed. See how the legislation was...
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.
Yale University
Avalon Project: African Americans Biography, Autobiography and History
Five primary source materials on African American history: I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr., My Bondage and Freedom by Frederick Douglass, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois, Up From...
PBS
The March on Washington and Its Impact : Lesson Plan
Learn about the social conditions in the United States that led up to the Civil Rights Movement. Also, explore peaceful resistance and the immediate impact of the march.
NBC
Nbc Learn: Finishing the Dream: 1955 56: Buses and Boycotts
A collection of archival video clips covering the early days of the civil rights movement in the United States. Looks at reaction to the lynching of a teenager named Emmett Till in Chicago, Rosa Park's protest, the Montgomery Bus...
NBC
Nbc Learn: Finishing the Dream: 1960 1962: Freedom Fighters
A collection of archival video clips covering protests against racial segregation in the United States in the period 1960-1962. Features clips on the Greensboro sit-in at Woolworth's lunch counters, Freedom Riders who fought bus...
Stanford University
Stanford University: Lesson Plan on Martin Luther King, Jr. & Malcolm X
A comprehensive four part lesson plan exploring how the ideas of the two great African American leaders were similar and different both in their ideologies and their visions.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Contesting Futures: America in 1960s: Civil Rights Movement Marches On
An examination of the civil rights movement of African Americans in the 1960s. Discusses the different forms of protest, the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr., the rise of Black Power, the Black Panthers, and Malcolm X. This is...
Wyzant
Wyzant: History and Politics Out Loud: "I Have a Dream" Speech
Listen to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful and famous speech, "I Have a Dream." Transcript and audio clips are also provided.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Maya Angelou
A well-written biography of Maya Angelou. Includes a profile, interview and photo gallery. In the interview, she talks at length about her friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he was like as a person.
Read Works
Read Works: Excerpt From Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter From Birmingham Jail
[Free Registration/Login Required] This primary source features a letter excerpt from Dr. Martin King, Jr. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies. Scaffolding for vocabulary...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Montgomery Bus Boycott
[Free Registration/Login Required] After reviewing four documents, students will consider the deeper meaning behind the bus boycott while studying the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Martin Luther King
This article gives a brief overview of the life of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while discussing the concept of non-violent resistance.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Civil Rights: An Investigation
Through the lesson provided here, students will not only learn about civil rights and civil liberty but also understand the key roles played by President Johnson and Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement. The detailed...
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...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Analyzing Famous Speeches as Arguments
This multi-session activity features the opportunity to analyze a variety of famous speeches. Learners will look carefully at tone, rhetoric, propaganda techniques, and historical context as they write an analysis paper....
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy
[Free Registration/Login Required] This resource provides information about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s impact on American history. In addition, there are links to related topics.