In the second half of the 20th century, racial tensions rose in the US as African Americans began to challenge unjust laws that supported discrimination and segregation. This movement found its leader in the patient and inspiring minister, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students will watch a short video and engage in two primary source activities in order to explore how King's deep-seated commitment to nonviolence contributed to the expansion of social justice in the United States, particularly for African Americans. [5:09]

Explore how celebrities can use their influence to support social and political movements in this video [5:06] from American Masters, Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me. Learn about the contributions of Sammy Davis, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, his relationship with Martin Luther King, Jr., and how his story intertwines with greater issues of identity and power within the role of an activist. Support materials include discussion questions, vocabulary, and teaching tips on how to make connections to celebrity activists today. Teaching materials are included.

Explore how segregation impacted entertainment in 1960s Hollywood in this video [4:38] from American Masters, Sammy Davis, Jr.:I've Gotta Be Me. Sammy Davis, Jr. had the kind of career that was indisputably legendary, vast in scope and scale. Davis strove to achieve the American Dream in a time of racial prejudice and shifting political territory. He was a member of the popular "Rat Pack," but their appearances often featured humor where Davis was the center of the joke. In this resource, students learn about Hollywood in the 1960s and challenges faced by black performers during the time of segregation. Support materials include discussion questions, vocabulary, and teaching tips on how to make connections to the world of comedy today.

Article tracing the life, acts, and fame of the famous civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.

A complete unit of ideas for Martin Luther King Jr. is featured with related lesson plans and activities.

Primary documents related to women's suffrage in the 1800s are presented here accompanied by teaching ideas. There is a script called 'Failure is Impossible' that was commissioned by the National Archives, as well as petitions, proposed amendments to the Constitution. The documents span the years 1868 to 1920.

This lesson provides a framework for critical analysis of current and historic race relations in America through the lens of the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown, Jr., a young unarmed black man, by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri.In this lesson, students conduct a Socratic seminar in preparation for creating a plan of action to submit to local bodies of government with suggestions for improving relations between police departments and the people in the communities that they protect and addressing other disparities in our country's criminal justice system. Students conduct a Socratic seminar in preparation for creating a plan of action to submit to local bodies of government with suggestions for improving relations between police departments and the people in the communities that they protect. [7:16]