Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a variety of activities inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and the civil rights movement. 

Stephen Somerstein, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., seen from behind, addressing crowd of 12,000 civil rights marchers, in front of Alabama State House, 1965 Selma Alabama to Montgomery civil rights march, March 25, 1965, ND, Gelatin silver print, Gift of John Shubin

Martin Luther King Jr. is renowned for his lifelong work in the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement was integral in affording African American people equal rights in the U.S. and bringing an end to segregation. His most iconic work, the “I Have a Dream” speech was presented during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. His speech called for an end to discrimination and segregation and called for racial and financial equality for all.

Martin Luther King Jr. and the Freedom Riders worked to desegregate public transportation in the South. The group was composed of both white and African American civil rights activists who participated in Freedom Rides, bus trips through the American South in 1961 to protest segregated buses and terminals. Due to the hard work of the Freedom Riders, the separation of people by race on public transportation ended.

Art activities included in the instruction booklet:

• Imagine a Better World: I Have a Dream Doves
  • Keep Martin Luther King Jr.’s message alive, write your dream for the future on a Dream Dove.
• Celebrate Freedom: Freedom Riders Bus
  • Create your own Freedom Bus to commemorate those who fought for civil rights.
• Remember Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy: Watercolor Peace Signs
  • Create a peace sign watercolor painting with one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotes.
• Stand up for Equality: Mini Protest Signs
  • Make a protest sign about something that is important to you or color the templates provided.

SEE STEPHEN SOMERSTEIN’S PHOTOGRAPH IN REVELATIONS: RECENT PHOTOGRAPHY ACQUISITIONS AT THE OGDEN MUSEUM.