King Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia Chronology Documents Quotes Most Visited
1948 | 1951 | 1955 | 1957 | 1959 | 1961 | Editorial Policy | Back To Main

Documents that end with ** contain audio.
Conjectured dates for documents are bracketed and put in italics.
See our editorial policy above for more information.

[13 June 1937] - To Martin Luther King, Sr.
1 April 1939 - In Memoriam
18 January 1940 - To Martin Luther King, Sr.
24 January 1940 - To Martin Luther King, Sr.
20 June 1940 - To Alberta Williams King
23 June 1940 - To Martin Luther King, Sr.
[May 1944] - “The Negro and the Constitution”
11 June 1944 - To Alberta Williams King
15 June 1944 - To Martin Luther King, Sr.
18 June 1944 - To Alberta Williams King
5 August 1944 - To Alberta Williams King
30 August 1944 - To Alberta Williams King
6 August 1946 - "Kick Up Dust," Letter to the Editor, Atlanta Constitution
January-February 1947 - “The Purpose of Education”
27 October 1947 - To Crozer Theological Seminary
29 October 1947 - From Charles E. Batten
[25 September 1946 - 31 January 1948?] - Ritual
[February 1948] - Application for Admission to Crozer Theological Seminary
4 February 1948 - Certification of Minister’s License for Martin Luther King, Jr.
25 February 1948 - Lucius M. Tobin to Charles E. Batten
28 February 1948 - Benjamin Elijah Mays to Charles E. Batten
5 March 1948 - Martin Luther King, Sr., to Charles E. Batten
9 March 1948 - Phoebe Burney to Charles E. Batten
12 March 1948 - George D. Kelsey to Charles E. Batten
23 March 1948 - Charles E. Batten’s Notes on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Academic Record at Morehouse College
23 March 1948 - Brailsford R. Brazeal to Charles E. Batten
30 September 1948 - To Alberta Williams King
[14 September - 24 November 1948] - “Light on the Old Testament from the Ancient Near East”
[14 September - 24 November 1948] - “Preaching Ministry”
[29 November 1949 - 15 February 1950] - Examination Answers, Christian Theology for Today
[29 November 1949 - 15 February 1950] - Six Talks Based on Beliefs That Matter by William Adams Brown
[29 November 1949 - 15 February 1950] - “The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus”
[29 November 1949 - 15 February 1950] - “The Influence of the Mystery Religions on Christianity”
20 July 1950 - Statement on Behalf of Ernest Nichols
30 September 1950 - To Sankey L. Blanton
[12 September - 22 November 1950] - “An Autobiography of Religious Development”
[12 September - 22 November 1950] - Book Review of Personality, Its Study and Hygiene by Winifred V. Richmond
30 November 1950 - “Martin L. King,” by Charles E. Batten
[September - December 1950] - Crozer Theological Seminary Field Work Department: Rating Sheet for King by William Gardner
[September - December 1950] - Fragment of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Application to Boston University
4 February 1951 - Crozer Theological Seminary Placement Committee Confidential Evaluation of Martin Luther King, Jr.,
9 February 1951 - The Origin of Religion in the Race
6 March 1951 - Graduate Record Examination Scores for Martin Luther King, Jr.
28 March 1951 - A Conception and Impression of Religion Drawn from Dr. Brightman’s Book
[27 April 1951] - “Religion’s Answer to the Problem of Evil”
[20 February - 4 May 1951] - “Jacques Maritain”
[20 February - 4 May 1951] - “War and Pacifism”
10 May 1951 - Alberta Williams King to Charles E. Batten
18 July 1952 - To Coretta Scott
[28 December 1952] - After Christmas, What?
23 June 1953 - From Charles E. Batten
[24 January 1954] - “The Dimensions of a Complete Life,” Sermon at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
28 February 1954 - Rediscovering Lost Values**
14 April 1954 - To Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
[September 1954] - Notes, Speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. at Women’s Auxiliary Convention, 9/9/1954
[November 1954] - “Beyond Condemnation,” Sermon at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
1 December 1955 - Arrest report for Rosa Parks
2 December 1955 - Leaflet, “Don’t Ride the Bus,” Come to a Mass Meeting on 5 December
5 December 1955 - Minutes of Montgomery Improvement Association Founding Meeting, by U.J. Fields
5 December 1955 - MIA Mass Meeting at Holt Street Baptist Church
8 December 1955 - Montgomery Improvement Association Resolution
8 December 1955 - To the National City Lines, Inc.
12 December 1955 - Tell It To Old Grandma
25 December 1955 - “To the Montgomery Public”
[1 January 1956] - “Our God Is Able”
4 January 1956 - To J. Edgar Hoover from Special Agent in Charge
26 January 1956 - Complaint of City of Montgomery Against Martin Luther King, Jr.
31 January 1956 - “Blast Rocks Residence of Bus Boycott Leader,” by Joe Azbell
9 February 1956 - Telegram from AFL-CIO to Eisenhower
21 February 1956 - Indictment, State of Alabama v. M. L. King, Jr.
24 February 1956 - From Ella J. Baker
16 March 1956 - From Homer Alexander Jack
[18 March 1956] - “When Peace Becomes Obnoxious,” Outline
21 March 1956 - From William Stuart Nelson
[22 March 1956] - Reactions to Conviction
29 March 1956 - “When Peace Becomes Obnoxious,” Sermon Delivered on 18 March 1956
2 April 1956 - From Richard Bartlett Gregg
18 May 1956 - “Mother’s Day in Montgomery,” by Almena Lomax
4 June 1956 - From Helen M. Hiller
7 June 1956 - Montgomery Improvement Association Newsletter
[23 July 1956] - “Non-Aggression Procedures to Interracial Harmony”
4 November 1956 - “Paul’s Letter to American Christians"**
[14 November 1956] - Address to MIA Mass Meeting at Holt Street Baptist Church
19 December 1956 - “Integrated Bus Suggestions”
20 December 1956 - Statement on Ending the Bus Boycott
23 December 1956 - From Bayard Rustin
27 December 1956 - From Homer Alexander Jack
4 January 1957 - From A. Philip Randolph
28 January 1957 - “King Says Vision Told Him to Lead Integration Forces”
14 February 1957 - Valentine’s Day Telegram to Coretta King
14 February 1957 - To Dwight D. Eisenhower
[6 March 1957] - Interview with Etta Moten Barnett
[7 April 1957] - “The Birth of a New Nation,” Sermon Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
[14 April 1957] - Garden of Gethsemane, Sermon Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
[21 April 1957] - Questions That Easter Answers, Sermon Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
10 May 1957 - From Bayard Rustin
17 May 1957 - “Give Us the Ballot,” Address at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom**
[11 August 1957] - “Conquering Self-Centeredness,” Sermon Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
September 1957 - “Advice for Living”
2 September 1957 - “A Look to the Future,” Address Delivered at Highlander Folk School
9 September 1957 - Telegram from King to President Eisenhower Urging Action in Little Rock
23 September 1957 - Report on Little Rock
25 September 1957 - To Dwight D. Eisenhower
26 September 1957 - Telegram from King to Dwight D. Eisenhower
26 September 1957 - “Dr. King Asks Non-Violence In Little Rock School Crisis”
October 1957 - “Advice for Living”
7 October 1957 - From Dwight D. Eisenhower
November 1957 - “Advice for Living”
8 November 1957 - Letter to Ambassador Chester Bowles
17 November 1957 - “Loving Your Enemies,” Sermon Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church**
December 1957 - “Advice for Living”
1 December 1957 - The Montgomery Story Comic Book
5 December 1957 - “Some Things We Must Do,” Address Delivered at the 2nd Annual Institute on Nonviolence
January 1958 - “Advice for Living”
30 January 1958 - “His Influence Speaks to World Conscience”
February 1958 - “Advice for Living”
4 February 1958 - To the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
March 1958 - “Advice for Living”
April 1958 - “Advice for Living”
May 1958 - “Advice for Living”
June 1958 - “Advice for Living”
25 June 1958 - Interview by Mike Wallace
July 1958 - “Advice for Living”
August 1958 - “Advice for Living”
1 September 1958 - “My Pilgrimage to Nonviolence”
September 1958 - “Advice for Living”
15 September 1958 - Anonymous KKK Letter
21 September 1958 - From Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
23 September 1958 - From A.J. Muste
23 September 1958 - From Benjamin Elijah Mays
30 September 1958 - Statement Issued from Harlem Hospital
October 1958 - “Advice for Living”
November 1958 - “Advice for Living”
December 1958 - “Advice for Living”
1 January 1959 - A Petition for Integrated Schools to the President and the Congress of the United States
1 January 1959 - Anonymous Letter Threatening King’s Life
1 February 1959 - “The Negro is Part of That Huge Community Who Seek New Freedom in Every Area of Life”
[1959] - Account by Lawrence Dunbar Reddick of Press Conference in new Delhi on 10 February 1959
[9 March 1959] - Farewell Statement for All India Radio
18 March 1959 - Statement upon Return from India
[22 March 1959] - Palm Sunday Sermon on Mohandas K. Gandhi, Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
29 March 1959 - A Walk Through the Holy Land, Easter Sunday Sermon Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
13 May 1959 - Remarks Delivered at Africa Freedom Dinner at Atlanta University
[2 June 1959] - “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution,” Address at Morehouse College Commencement
July 1959 - “My Trip to the Land of Gandhi”
21 July 1959 - To Deolinda Rodrigues
7 August 1959 - My Call to the Ministry
23 September 1959 - From Anne Braden
October 1959 - “The Social Organization of Nonviolence”
7 October 1959 - To Anne Braden
17 November 1959 - From Ebenezer Baptist Church
[29 November 1959] - Draft, Resignation from Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
1 December 1959 - SCLC Press Release, “Dr. King Leaves Montgomery for Atlanta”
21 December 1959 - To Deolinda Rodrigues
[1960] - The Meaning of the Sit-Ins
[31 January 1960] - Address Delivered during “A Salute to Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King” at Dexter Ave. Baptist Church
16 February 1960 - “A Creative Protest”
[March 1960] - SNCC Announcement, Youth Leadership Meeting, Shaw University
23 March 1960 - Letter From Ella Baker to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ralph Abernathy
5 April 1960 - Press Release, SNCC on Voting Rights
13 April 1960 - “Pilgrimage to Nonviolence”
15 April 1960 - “Statement to the Press at the Beginning of the Youth Leadership Conference”
16 April 1960 - Photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. and members of SNCC
[17 April 1960] - Recommendations of the Findings and Recommendations Committee
18 April 1960 - To Allan Knight Chalmers
19 April 1960 - Letter to To Harry S. Truman
27 April 1960 - “Suffering and Faith”
May 1960 - “The Burning Truth in the South”
June 1960 - The Student Voice
[17 June 1960] - SNCC Letter to Martin Luther King
7 July 1960 - Statement by SNCC to the National Democratic Convention
18 August 1960 - Press release, SNCC Warns Nixon
25 September 1960 - The Negro and the American Dream
19 October 1960 - Draft Statement to Judge James E. Webb
20 October 1960 - Letter to Fellow Students
21 October 1960 - “Press Release from Dr. King (Inside Fulton County Jail)”
22 October 1960 - "The Sitdowns" - Richmond News Leader
26 October 1960 - From the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
[26 October 1960] - To Coretta Scott King
[27 October 1960] - Interview after Release from Georgia State Prison at Reidsville
1 November 1960 - Statement on Presidential Endorsement
2 November 1960 - Telegram from A. Philip Randolph
28 November 1960 - From Lyndon B. Johnson
[December 1960] - Announcement, Christmas Shopping Withholding Campaign
December 1960 - “A Talk with Martin Luther King”
30 December 1960 - Letter From Charles McDew to Martin Luther King, Jr.
5 February 1961 - SNCC Meeting Minutes
18 February 1961 - Press release for drive against job discrimination
26 April 1961 - Letter from James Farmer to President John F. Kennedy
26 April 1961 - Freedom Ride, 1961 Participants
17 May 1961 - Statement of Charles Anthony Person
18 May 1961 - Press Release, ‘’Dr. King Calls for A Stepped Up Assault on Foes of Integration’’
23 May 1961 - SNCC Telegram to John F. (John Fitzgerald) Kennedy
26 May 1961 - Report on Meeting of the Freedom Ride Coordinating Committee
9 June 1961 - ‘’The American Dream,’’ Commencement address at Lincoln University
9 July 1961 - Letter to Chairman of the Civil Rights Division
9 July 1961 - Letter to John F. (John Fitzgerald) Kennedy
September 1961 - This Is SNCC
1 December 1961 - The Student Voice
12 December 1961 - Telegram to Robert F. Kennedy
12 February 1962 - “If the Negro Wins, Labor Wins”
22 March 1963 - SNCC Newsletter Vol. 1, no. 14 & 15
[26 March 1962] - Press Release, Trial of SNCC Freedom Riders
[29 April 1962] - SNCC Constitution
8 September 1962 - “Negro Youth’s New March on Dixie”
11 September 1962 - Telegram to John F. (John Fitzgerald) Kennedy
16 September 1962 - “Levels of Love,” Sermon Delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church
28 September 1962 - Telegram from James Farmer to John F. Kennedy
30 September 1962 - “Can a Christian Be a Communist?” Sermon Delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church
6 October 1962 - Telegram to John F. (John Fitzgerald) Kennedy
25 March 1963 - Letter to Martin Luther King, Jr.
16 April 1963 - “Letter From Birmingham Jail”
23 June 1963 - Speech at the Great March on Detroit**
11 July 1963 - Letter from Clarence Jones to A. Philip Randolph
27 July 1963 - SNCC Letter to Lee C. White
[August 1963] - History, Program, Structure and Leadership
31 July 1963 - Letter from Malcolm X to King
1 August 1963 - March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom Announcement
28 August 1963 - I Have a Dream, Address at March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom**
28 August 1963 - Press release, SNCC Text of speech to be delivered at Lincoln Memorial
18 September 1963 - Eulogy for the Martyred Children**
[1964] - A Chronology of Violence and Intimidation in Mississippi
1 January 1964 - Brochure created by the Council of Federated Organizations
3 February 1964 - The Student Voice February 1964
11 April 1964 - Letter From John Lewis to King
11 June 1964 - SNCC Executive Meeting Minutes
23 June 1964 - Letter to King Expressing Concerns About Communist Ties
30 June 1964 - Telegram from Malcolm X
23 September 1964 - Letter Defending Highlander Folk School
[October 1964] - Two Radio Announcements on the Importance of Registering to Vote
17 October 1964 - Telegram from Edward Kennedy
6 November 1964 - Thanksgiving Fast for Freedom
10 December 1964 - Acceptance Speech at Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony**
26 February 1965 - Telegram from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Betty al-Shabazz
28 February 1965 - Political Action Statement: Martin Luther King, Jr. at Communist Training School
7 March 1965 - Report, Selma to Montgomery March
25 March 1965 - Address at the Conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March**
4 July 1965 - “The American Dream"**
5 August 1965 - Telegram from the President’s Assistant
12 August 1965 - Statement by King at the S.C.L.C. Convention
7 October 1965 - Address at the Illinois State Convention of the AFL-CIO
4 November 1965 - Telegram from King to Fred Shuttlesworth, Jr
5 June 1966 - “Guidelines for a Constructive Church"**
19 September 1966 - Telegram to Cesar Chavez
2 April 1967 - Letter from Jay H. Cerf to King and King’s response to Cerf
4 April 1967 - Beyond Vietnam**
4 April 1967 - Question and Answer Period Following Beyond Vietnam Speech
7 April 1967 - New York Times: "Dr. King's Error"
9 April 1967 - “The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life"**
11 June 1967 - “A Knock at Midnight"**
13 June 1967 - Telegram from King to Thurgood Marshall
16 August 1967 - “Where Do We Go From Here?,” Delivered at the 11th Annual SCLC Convention
27 August 1967 - “Why Jesus Called A Man A Fool"**
4 February 1968 - “The Drum Major Instinct"**
3 March 1968 - “Unfulfilled Dreams"**
18 March 1968 - Address at Mass meeting at the Bishop Charles Mason Temple
31 March 1968 - “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution"**
3 April 1968 - I’ve Been to the Mountaintop
8 April 1968 - Guidelines for the March
1 May 1968 - Poor People’s Campaign Flyer
19 June 1970 - William Porter Interviews John Lewis
29 March 1982 - Clayborne Carson Interviews Bob Moses

Today in History
May 22, 1967
At an SCLC staff retreat King calls for a radical redistribution of economic and political power
May 22, 1963
Hundreds of students greet King at St. James Baptist Church
Most Popular Entries
Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
King, Martin Luther, Jr. (1929-1968)
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" (1963)
Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand (1869-1948)
Featured Documents
December 1, 1955
Arrest report for Rosa Parks
February 14, 1957
Valentine’s Day Telegram to Coretta King
December 1, 1957
The Montgomery Story Comic Book
June 25, 1958
Interview by Mike Wallace
April 16, 1963
“Letter From Birmingham Jail”
June 30, 1964
Telegram from Malcolm X
April 3, 1968
I’ve Been to the Mountaintop
Featured Speeches and Sermons
December 5, 1955
MIA Mass Meeting at Holt Street Baptist Church
August 28, 1963
I Have a Dream, Address at March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom**
April 4, 1967
Beyond Vietnam**
February 4, 1968
“The Drum Major Instinct"**
Home  |  About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Copyright Information  |  The King Center  |  RSS