Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

Because of the way Dr. King died, it is often easy to focus on the violent nature of his death instead of the fundamental contributions he made during his short life to bring about equality, not only in the United States but around the world.

Not only did Dr. King tirelessly advocate for racial and socioeconomic equality, but he did so through a dedicated philosophy of non-violence, which makes his death by assassination all the more difficult to comprehend.

Dr. King also understood the power of words--how more than violence, more than brute strength, words--when spoken from the heart and from a place of truth--can stir the human heart towards doing good, rather than evil. 

For good reason, Dr. King has been called one of the greatest orators of his generation, and his words and his life's example still resonate in people's hearts to this day, calling on us to do better, to stand up for what is just, and to keep dreaming for a brighter future, not just for our own generation, but for those generations to come.

In honor of his life and his ultimate sacrifice for the good of humanity, this guide is intended to celebrate his accomplishments and to provide resources for learning more about his moment in history and his legacy.