The Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Dream of Equality
February 23-27, 2026
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most iconic speeches in American history. Write an essay analyzing the impact of King's words and leadership on the Civil Rights Movement. What made his message so powerful? How did he use nonviolent resistance to achieve social change? What is the legacy of his work today? Use at least two of the provided sources to support your analysis.
- Minimum 3 paragraphs
- Cite at least 2 sources
- Include an introduction, body paragraphs with evidence, and a conclusion
1. Martin Luther King Jr. | Biography & Facts | Britannica
Comprehensive biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Luther-King-JrMLA Citation Format:
"Martin Luther King Jr. | Biography & Facts | Britannica." Website Name, www.britannica.com. Accessed [Date].
2. I Have a Dream Speech | Full Text | National Archives
Primary source - full text of the I Have a Dream speech
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/i-have-a-dream-speechMLA Citation Format:
"I Have a Dream Speech | Full Text | National Archives." Website Name, www.archives.gov. Accessed [Date].
3. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park | NPS
National Park Service educational resource on MLK Jr.
https://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htmMLA Citation Format:
"Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park | NPS." Website Name, www.nps.gov. Accessed [Date].
4. The Civil Rights Movement | History.com
Overview of the Civil Rights Movement
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movementMLA Citation Format:
"The Civil Rights Movement | History.com." Website Name, www.history.com. Accessed [Date].
5. Martin Luther King Jr. for Kids | Ducksters
Student-friendly biography of Martin Luther King Jr.
https://www.ducksters.com/biography/martin_luther_king_jr.phpMLA Citation Format:
"Martin Luther King Jr. for Kids | Ducksters." Website Name, www.ducksters.com. Accessed [Date].
MLA Citation Help
Use MLA format for all citations. Include in-text citations (Author) and a Works Cited page at the end of your essay.
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