MLK, Jr. studied here beginning in 1948, where he was one of 11 African-American students. It may come as a surprise that transcripts reveal the future orator received C’s in public speaking class while here. Still, in 1951 he graduated first in his class.

In 1950, King, Jr. and his friends were denied service at a restaurant the town of Maple Shade, near Camden. This moment was influential in beginning MLK’s civil rights fight, sparking the first sit-in in New Jersey. During his visits he often stayed at this rowhouse in Camden, which only recently was designated historic and saved from demolition. In 2018, the owner of the house announced plans to put it up for sale.

While attending Crozer Theological Seminary, MLK also audited classes in philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.

MLK, Jr. was here in 1950 to hear Howard University President Mordecai Johnson speak about Mahatma Gandhi. He found the speech “profound and electrifying.” In 1965, the Fellowship House planned a controversial visit for MLK, where he addressed a breakfast meeting. The original Fellowship House, which was an interfaith and interracial community center, no longer exists.

On June 6, 1961, MLK, Jr. delivered a commencement speech at Lincoln University, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law. In his speech, MLK addressed the American dream, saying, “In a real sense, America is essentially a dream, a dream as yet unfulfilled.”

King came here in 1964 to dedicate the new Bright Hope Baptist Church. Here he called out churches for acting as “taillights rather than headlights of the civil rights movement.”

King spoke here during his 1965 visit, where he said, “Negroes in Philadelphia live in segregated housing conditions, just like Negroes in the South.” Today, Baptist Temple is known as  Temple Performing Arts Center.

During MLK, Jr.’s visit to Philadelphia in 1965, he attended a rally at Girard College. At the time, there were protests taking place on campus over the college’s refusal to admit black students. Three years later, the first four African-American students were enrolled.

MLK, Jr. gave a historic speech at this intersection in West Philly in 1965, drawing a crowd of some 10,000 Philadelphians to the corner of 40th and Lancaster. King spoke of the need for “freedom now” in Philadelphia. The memorable speech is now marked by this mural by Cliff Eubanks, called “MLK at Lancaster.”

Although now closed, Barratt Junior High School is where MLK, Jr. once gave a speech called “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?” to students in 1967. He spoke about being the best people they can be, no matter their status in life.