The Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

Audio of the Address of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On September 12, 1962, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech in New York City to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the issuance of Abraham Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. In a measured but passionate tone, Dr. King reviewed the history of human rights in America, noting that the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation had fallen far short of achieving equality for all of its citizens. Full length of audio is 26:45. 

Text of the Address of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Draft of speech text for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking before the New York State Civil War Centennial Commission at the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City, September 12, 1962. The occasion was a dinner to commemorate the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, owned by the New York State Library. This primary source is presented via ConsidertheSourceNY.org.  

Educator's Guide to Dr. King's 1962 Speech

An Educator's Guide to this online exhibition is a collaborative effort among Museum educators, teachers, and archivists designed to provide strategies and resources for teaching about the Civil Rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By using the online exhibition and lessons provided here, students will gain insight into Dr. King's ideas and views of the Civil Rights movement. This was produced by the New York State Museum for use in grades 8-12. 

Student Activity: Response to Dr. King's 1962 Speech

This student activity was designed around primary sources and poses the compelling question "Why did Martin Luther King, Jr. write and deliver this speech?".  Students could expand by taking informed action and choosing an issue in their community that impacts them or someone close to them. From there, students could write a speech describing the issue and ways they propose to solve it. 

Developed by the Education Team at Archives Partnership Trust, this activity resides on ConsidertheSourceNY.org. Registered users of this free website are able to copy, edit, and directly assign to students. 

Student Activity: Understanding the Significance of the Emancipation Proclamation Today

In this learning activity, students will analyze the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation and a speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Students will analyze primary sources to gather evidence to respond to the compelling question "How has the Emancipation Proclamation shaped the United States we live in today?". 

This activity was produced by Archives Partnership Trust and resides on the Consider the Source platform. Registered users of this free website are able to copy, edit, and assign directly to students. 

PBS Resources: Black Culture & History

This public folder contains interactives, media galleries, videos, and more from PBS LearningMedia. All content is standards-aligned and features guiding questions and tips for classroom use. These items can be shared with your students through direct links or assigned via Google Classroom.

By the mid-20th century, civil rights efforts gained traction as membership in the NAACP increased and the organization won several important legal cases. In 1954, the movement exploded with the Supreme Court ruling on Brown v. Board of Education, which outlawed segregation in public schools. From that point on, African American leaders vowed to break down all racial barriers. 

Amid this prolific social movement, the centennial anniversary of the Civil War allowed African Americans to examine what they had achieved since slavery and to demand what was still needed for full equality. On September 12, 1962, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered this speech in New York City to commemorate Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. 

In a measured but passionate tone, Dr. King reviewed the history of human rights in America, noting that the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation had fallen far short of achieving equality for all US citizens. Lamenting the disparity between Blacks and whites in every aspect of society, he stated that the only way to commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation "is to make its declaration of freedom real; to reach back to the origins of our nation when our message of equality electrified an unfree world and reaffirm democracy by deeds as bold and daring as the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation."