The Wandering Disciple

While most people think of his "I Have a Dream" speech on the National Mall in Washington DC as his most notable works, Dr King's Letter from Birmingham Jail is my favorite piece that he has written.  From a tiny jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr King wrote one of the most important pieces of the civil rights movement.  In the letter, Dr King urged the peaceful protesters to take action by breaking the unjust laws rather than wait for the courts to deem these laws unjust.  In the letter Dr King wrote that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." You can learn more about Dr King and his impacts on the civil right movement by visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: December 20, 2014)

Following the assassination of President Lincoln, the Petersen House across the street from Ford's Theatre became the heart of the nation.  The front parlor was the waiting room for Mary Todd Lincoln and family.  The front bedroom was the temporary seat of government where the county was run and the manhunt was overseen.  Then in the back bedroom was where Lincoln was being attended to and would eventually take his last breath.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

Atlanta, Georgia: The sweet Auburn Community in Atlanta is home to the most powerful civil rights leaders our country has ever known. His legacy is alive and well at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site where visitors can pay tribute to Dr King’s legacy by walking through the streets of his childhood. The vision of preserving the history of this neighborhood began in 1974 with several building being added to the National Register of Historic Places. The preservation expanded in 1977 when it was declared a National Historic Landmark. The Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site was finally established in 1980 and included roughly 35 acres historically significant buildings. A visit to the historic site begins with a stop at the Visitor’s Center. A walk down the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame through the Gandhi Promenade will lead you from the parking lot into the Visitor’s Center. Here you will find exhibits that chronicles the life of Dr King and...

On April 15, 1865, the Peterson House, a row house in Washington DC went from being the home of a German tailor William Peterson to being a prominent spot in American history.  It is in the bedroom of this house where President Abraham Lincoln passed away following his assassination.  Fearing the wounded president wouldn't make it back to the White House, he was ushered into the house located directly across the street from Ford's Theater.  The house became busy with activity, doctors attended to Lincoln in the back bedroom while Edward Stanton help run the country from the parlor.  Today the three rooms of the Peterson House used during this time can be toured for free as part of the Ford's Theatre historic site.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

The infamous Presidential Box of Ford's Theater where American History was changed forever.  It was at this spot where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by actor John Wilkes Booth during the play "Our American Cousin".  Today you can tour the theater on guided tours offered by the National Park Service.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)