Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Throughout the civil rights movement in Atlanta, soul food restaurants were hubs of change where civil rights leaders could convene, converse, and strategize, and in times of terror and violence, these places were retreats where leaders could plan their next tactical moves.

The USCT was comprised of 135 regiments of infantry soldiers. In addition to infantry, the USCT had 13 heavy artillery, six cavalry, and a light artillery regiment. The people of color who were not allowed to enlist, such as women, helped the war effort by being cooks, spies, nurses, and scouts.

Luckie Street in downtown Atlanta is commonly thought to be named after Solomon Luckie. Luckie was one of Atlanta’s first Black entrepreneurs and was tragically killed by shrapnel during the Civil War. Learn more about Luckie in our Atlanta Streets series.

We believe that there are, indeed, singular and extraordinary historical moments—but we also know that there are countless events in the past that can teach and inspire us. We are excited to share with you some stories of Atlantans who have proven courageous, creative, and steadfast in the face of adversity.

After engaging in over 60 years of activism and service to the Atlanta community, prominent Civil Rights leader and Congressman John Lewis has died.

Black soldiers have served this country since the Revolutionary War and their stories are vital in creating a more complete, more accurate picture of America’s past.

In August 2020, we commemorate the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment which guaranteed American women the right to vote. However, this was not an inclusive victory.

Celebrate Atlanta’s rich musicality with this tour of places with ties to hip-hop history.

Visitors from across the Unites States travel to Atlanta, King’s hometown, to honor the legacy of his work. We invite you to look back at how we arrived at this moment in history.

Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow explores the African American struggle for full citizenship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 years following the Civil War.

Since 2013 Atlanta History Center has hosted an annual Juneteenth commemoration that connects visitors to this essential moment in national history through a weekend of free programming.

For more than 150 years, unwavering young activists have taken up the torch and blazed their own trail through history.

Our Time is Now. In conversation with WABE’s Denis O’Hayer.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. In conversation with Jon Meacham.

His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope. In conversation with Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice.