The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement / The Amistad Rebellion

Summary: Part A: Pulitzer Prize winning author Taylor Branch has identified eighteen pivotal events in the civil rights movement of the 1960’s in his book, “The King Years.” Branch provides detailed historical context for each event and explores Martin Luther King Jr.’s continuing legacy in depth. From King’s influence on other contemporary civil rights leaders, through the March on Washington, to his tumultuous relationship with President Lyndon Johnson, Branch shows there are many lessons we can still learn from the life of Dr. King. Part B: On a dark night in the early summer of 1839, a group of courageous Africans took control of their fates in what is one of the best-known slave ship rebellions. Led by Cinqué, a group of slaves broke free of their chains and wrested command of the schooner Amistad from the captain and crew. With no viable destination, the US Navy soon captured and imprisoned the Africans in a Federal prison. Marcus Rediker tells the full story of how these courageous men changed the fight against slavery and eventually reclaimed their freedom