Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. at his National Historical Park

Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK, Jr.) is a name that resonates with all Americans—his powerful voice championed the fight against segregation and racism in the U.S. In fact, we’ve dedicated a national holiday to honor his legacy every third Monday of January. But how will you spend this day? Why not take a moment to visit the King Center and pay tribute to his incredible contributions? And don’t forget, February follows as Black History Month, a time to continue celebrating and learning about the rich impact of Black Americans throughout history.

To honor the late King, let me introduce you to the city he was born in, where he lived and worked until the last of his days. The National Historical Park was dedicated to the late King to preserve those places. In 1980, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park was established in Atlanta, Georgia. It is free to take a walk around the park and see the house that he and his family lived in.

While I was visiting a friend in Atlanta, I thought, “How could I not visit and learn more about one of the most important figures in racial justice?” We made a stop at the King Center to check out details about his life and contributions to making the world a better and loving place. I was keen on visiting this museum because I admire his work and dedication.

Inside the King Center is a Freedom Hall where you can read about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his family’s life. There are plagues on the wall and abstract objects from King’s life. The life of Coretta Scott, King’s wife, is also remembered on the walls as she was an important part of King’s life. The room is not big at all. It has just enough space to place photos, clothing worn by the Kings, and other mementos. You can probably circle around and skim the room in 5 minutes unless you want to read everything in detail.

Where did MLK practice his love and patience from? Right next door to the first room I entered was about Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. MLK learned more about a life of peace and equality from Gandhi in India. Dr. King credited Gandhi for his influence in making a force in society and considered Gandhi his mentor. When Dr. King and Mrs. King visited India, Mrs. King loved wearing saris and received many gifts as well.

I vividly remember the first time my class learned about Martin Luther King Jr. When I was in elementary school, our teacher put on Our Friend, Martin. The powerful message of the educational animated film had a deep impact on me. One scene, in particular, left me heartbroken. It showed innocent people being sprayed by fire hoses, a moment I’d later recognize as one of the many painful images tied to the Civil Rights Movement. As a 10-year-old, I couldn’t understand why people would treat others so cruelly. I remember thinking, “Why can’t we all just be equal and love each other?”

It felt completely unfair to see people being attacked simply because of the color of their skin. “How could people be so evil?”, I wondered. How could these people [in the film] attack others because of the color of their skin?” I knew these questions didn’t have easy answers, but they left me feeling confused and flustered. I glanced at my classmates to see if they were as moved as I was, but quickly turned away, not wanting them to see me get emotional. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message had a profound effect on me, one that I still carry with me today.

It was such a beautiful day when I visited the National Historical Park. I would advise planning for at least one hour to explore. Don’t forget to check out the souvenir shop and pick up something to remind yourself to spread love. The money from your purchases will go toward The King Center and help upkeep MLK Jr.’s legacy.

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Amy♡