This documentary traces the life of Dr. Martin Luther King and the development of his non-violent philosophies over the course of the historic Civil Rights Movement. A political and social context drapes across the story of the African-American plight, determined to find an identity through the war at home and abroad.

This documentary examines Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Filmed in Atlanta on the first federal holiday in his honor, an impressive group of distinguished public figures is interviewed, including former President Jimmy Carter, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Julian Bond, Senator Edward Kennedy, Andrew Young, and Bill Cosby, among others. Archival footage recounts highlights of Dr. King’s actions and accomplishments in the civil rights movement: being fingerprinted after his arrest during the Montgomery bus boycott; his 1963 “I have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial; and his 1964 acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize.

This historical film packages nine short segments on Martin Luther King, Jr., for February’s Black History Month. Stories include “King Holiday,” “MLK/Wreath-laying,” “Jackson/MLK,” King/Civil Rights,” “Reagan/Kids,” “MLK Bust/Capitol,” “Andy Young Reflects,” “MLK Celebration/Atlanta,” and “MLK Celebration/Washington, D.C.” From the National Archives and Records Administration.

This is the story of how Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, birthday became a national holiday—of the unrelenting drive of his widow, Coretta Scott King, to carry on his work; of politicians (especially Representative John Conyers, Jr.) determined to memorialize Dr. King and offer hope as the alternative to black rage at his assassination