Revisiting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life and Legacy

MLK is recent history. And, to me, the history of our parents’ lifetimes is so much more relevant than all the ancient philosophers and medieval kings we learn about. . Reverend King was met many times by us this year, and my kids know him better than many. Mostly famous in death? Perhaps, but still a powerful man well-worth knowing. Here’s your history tour of his life. . 1) I Have a Dream. Read the speech. Think about it’s significance. And check out this Kadir Nelson picture book - and so many more great MLK books to add. . 2) Dr. King’s birthplace and childhood home in Atlanta down the street from his dad’s church in a vibrant Black neighborhood. . 3) Dexter Avenue Baptist Church from where he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. . 4) Ebenezer Baptist Church - his home church up until his death. It was his father’s before him. . 5, 6) The Lorraine Motel in Memphis - the balcony from which he was giving a speech to help with the sanitation worker strike when he was assassinated. This hotel has been transformed into the National Civil Rights Museum - a great museum to visit. . 7) Dr. and Mrs. King’s tombs at the MLK, Jr. National Historic Park in downtown Atlanta. . If you don’t know this man as much as you should, visit some of these places and make sure you check out this book or one of the many others. He’s part of our recent American history - and so important.