Martin Luther King and civil rights

In short

In the southern United States in the 1950s, African Americans were kept apart from white people on buses, in schools and in restaurants, and often could not vote. The minister Martin Luther King led non-violent protests to win equal rights. On 28 August 1963, in Washington, in front of about 250,000 people, he gave his ‘I have a dream’ speech, in which he dreamt of a country where children would be judged by their character and not by the colour of their skin. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Why it matters His struggles led to new laws against discrimination, and they still inspire people who stand up for civil rights.

Source: The Nobel Prize, “Martin Luther King Jr. – Facts”

Where we are in the era “Today”

Your turn

Name ______________________ Class ______ Date __________

1. When did it happen? Find the date at the top and write it here:

2. Tell it in your own words: what happened?

3. Draw the scene below.

storiascopio.com/en/event/martin-luther-king-and-civil-rights/ · free worksheet, you may photocopy it for your class