Photograph of Martin Luther King and Vice-Chancellor Charles Bosanquet. Newcastle Univeristy URL CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
He had a dream
of equality for all
A Baptist minister, Dr King was there to support Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. This started the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which outlawed segregation on busses. On August 28, 1963, King delivered his ‘I Have A Dream Speech.’ This remains one of the most famous and inspiring speeches ever. The speech was delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Dr King played a large part in getting the 1965 Voting Rights Bill passed, which ensured a legal right to vote.
Dr King's autograph, given to Mrs Kane. Image courtesy of Peter Kane.
Dr King's speaking at the ceremony. Image courtesy of North East Film Archive
He died fighting for the rights of others
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King preached non-violence as the best way to beat racism. However, his life was cut short by violence. On Thursday April 4th, 1968, King was shot dead by an assassin. His life’s work continues to inspire people to break down barriers and strive for equality for all.
Over to You!
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What major events had happened in the American Civil Rights movement and the British Civil Rights Movement by 1967?
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Dr King followed in the footsteps of which other Black leaders to visit the North East?
King in Newcastle
Did you know?
In November 1967, Martin Luther King came to Newcastle. He visited the city to receive an honorary degree from Newcastle University. Although his visit was short, he was able to make a speech to university students.
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Before he went to the university, he had breakfast and freshened up in the house of the university's Vice Chancellor. There, he met the Kane family. As a token of thanks, Dr King signed an autograph for Mrs Kane and gave her his dress handkerchief. These items are very special to the Kane family.
Dr King's dress handkerchief given as a gift of thanks to Mrs Kane Family. Image courtesy of Peter Kane.
"You give me renewed courage and vigour to carry on in the struggle to make peace and justice a reality.
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This day shall remain dear to me as long as the chords of memory lengthen.
The three urgent and indeed great problems that we face not only in the United States of America but all over the world today… the problem of racism, the problem of poverty and the problem of war.
The law cannot change the heart but it can restrain the heartless. It may be true true that the law cannot make a man love me but it can restrain him from lynching me."
Excerpts from Dr King's speech.
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Click on the images of the ceremony to watch his speech.
Dr King speaks in Newcastle University. Image courtesy of North East Film Archive
History Detective challenge
What were the 'barbs and arrows' that Dr King was talking about? (hint - keep reading or go to the Know More section.)
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How would someone who was there on that special day record it? (hint - No mobile phones in 1967)
Letter to the North East
Dr King's letter of thanks to the university.
“This is a belated note to say that one is always humbled on the occasion of receiving an honorary degree from such an outstanding university as Newcastle Upon Tyne, and yet, in the course of constant criticism and malalignment of one’s best efforts, the recognition of by an institution of higher learning of the historic significance of one’s work in the ministry is a tremendous encouragement, far overshadowing the barbs and arrows from the daily press."
What would you have asked Dr King if you had been at Newcastle University that day? Why would you ask that question?
Why did Dr King Visit Newcastle?
Why in 1967 did Dr King choose to travel on planes and trains to spend a little time in a place he had no connection with? To understand this, we need to understand what was happening in his life at the time.
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Become a history detective and see if you can find out!
The dress hankercheif given to Mrs Kane. Image courtesy of Peter Kane.
Dr King as the invocation ceremony begins in Newcastle University. Image courtesy of North East Film Archive
New city, new aims?
In his speech at Newcastle University, King explained that he had widened his dreams to include tackling the Vietnam War and poverty.
He wanted to join people from different ethnicities in America into this fight.
Dr King interviewed by Tyne Tees reporter Clyde Alleyne. Image courtesy of North East Film Archive
What did MLK think about England's Civil Rights issues?
A short Tyne Tees interview with Dr King took place during Dr King's visit to Newcastle. He discusses violence in the USA and Civil Rights issues in the UK
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Task:
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Research the reasons for the violence in the USA in the mid 1960's.
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Research the Civil Rights issues in the UK.
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How were they connected?
Getting Soft?
Despite all the hard work, King said that Civil Rights message was not getting across. This led many to move away from King’s non-violent approach and towards a confrontational stance. People were drawn towards Malcolm X’s message of direct action. The movement was splitting and King was starting to be seen as outdated and soft.
Over to you!
How significant is it that this is the only time Dr King spoke outside of London when visiting the UK?
How important is it that this was Dr King's final speech in the UK?
Changing times?
King was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement at this time. However, things were getting complicated. By 1967 many Black people had become tired of continuing racism despite the work of Dr King and promises of presidents.
Final thoughts...
Just six months after his visit to Newcastle, Dr King was assassinated. His place in history was assured; his work would never be forgotten.
His message would continue inspire millions for generations to come and his dream would become our dream.