Where was the Letter from Birmingham Jail written?

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Fifty-five years ago, on April 16, 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. began writing his “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” directed at eight Alabama clergy who were considered moderate religious leaders.

What is the historical context of Letter From Birmingham Jail?

MLK’s arrest in Birmingham (number 13 out of 30; a pretty good lifetime score in the Civil Rights Movement) and writing of “Letter from Birmingham Jail” motivated more Black Americans to stand up for their rights and made many whites aware of the actual conditions in segregated communities for the first time.

Why was the letter from Birmingham jail so important?

Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is the most important written document of the civil rights era. The letter served as a tangible, reproducible account of the long road to freedom in a movement that was largely centered around actions and spoken words.

What is the claim of Letter From Birmingham Jail?

King disagreed and penned his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” arguing that black Americans had waited long enough for equal rights, and that unjust laws were invalid laws. After providing contextual background, assign students to read “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” This may be done in-class or as a homework assignment.

What happened after Letter from Birmingham Jail?

King was finally released from jail on April 20, four days after penning the letter. Despite the harsh treatment he and his fellow protestors had received, King continued his work in Birmingham.

Why is the letter from a Birmingham jail important?

MLK’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ Called Most important Document of Civil Rights Era. King was imprisoned for his leadership of the movement, Bass called the letter “the essential distillation of Dr. King’s philosophy and endures, because the argument transcends time and place.