Martin Luther King Jr, a pastor, activist, humanitarian and American hero, gave a number of inspirational and brilliant speeches. As the country celebrates Martin Luther King Day, Tech Times takes a look at some memorable public appearances that may not be as well-known as his "dream" speech.
1. "A Time To Break Silence"
This is one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s most controversial speeches and addresses how money being spent on the war in Vietnam would be better spent fighting poverty and helping the poor in the U.S. However, at the time, many King supporters also supported the Vietnam war, and this speech caused King to lose some key help, including a few civil rights leaders who had been actively endorsing his activities.
This speech was given on April 4, 1967, exactly one year before Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis.
2. "The American Dream"
This speech was given two years after King's brilliant "I Have A Dream" speech, and shares how he believes his dream ultimately turned into a nightmare. While African-Americans won the right to vote, inequality remained prevalent when it came to job opportunities and decent wages.
3. "How Long, Not Long"
This speech addresses the issue of "normalcy" -- and how King believed racism was ingrained in so many people it was undermining the civil rights movement. Given on March 25, 1965, the speech suggests that despite the victories in 1963, there was still a lot to do. The speech remains relevant as while civil rights has come a long way, there is still work be done.
4. "I Have Been To The Mountaintop"
This speech, of this list, is likely the most known as it was King's last, given shortly before his death. In the speech King calls for unity, economic actions and nonviolent protests. This speech is considered to be more than a bit prophetic as near the end King mentions an untimely death, which many have noted is one of the most poignant moments in the speech.
5. "We Shall Overcome"
This was King's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, and at the time he was the youngest person ever, at 35, to receive the prize. He had proved to the Western world a fight can be fought without violence. Another notable aspect of the speech is that it was delivered somberly, suggesting that despite the victories that may have been won toward equality, King realized there was much more to be done.
