00:00The state of Georgia is known for its deep southern roots, historic cities, and cultural
00:11influence. But it also holds some of the most pivotal sites of the civil rights movement,
00:18making it the prime place to trace the footsteps of important social change in the United States.
00:24The perfect place to start this journey is in Atlanta, where it's considered the heartbeat of
00:30the civil rights movement. It's where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born and preached, where John
00:36Lewis began his fight for justice, and where landmark moments like the student sit-ins and
00:42mass marches shaped the national struggle for equality. One of the top destinations people
00:48like to visit when they come to Atlanta is the historic MLK home, and just down the street is
00:53the original Ebenezer Baptist Church, where both Martin Luther King Jr. and his father
00:57are preaching.
00:59These landmarks are part of the national park system, preserving the life and legacy of Dr.
01:04King.
01:05And before I'll be a slave...
01:09Take a walking tour through Sweet Auburn Avenue. You'll hear the songs that carried a movement.
01:15Stops include King's Schools and the Sunset Avenue home he shared with Coretta Scott King.
01:23And there are places where you can literally taste the movement. At Pascals, you'll enjoy
01:29a plate of Southern comfort food while sitting inside one of the safe meeting spots of the
01:34Civil Rights era.
01:35Stops and the Sunset Avenue home to an essential stop on this journey, the Tubman Museum.
01:50Harriet Tubman, an American hero who miraculously had the strength to lead the charge of the Underground
01:56Railroad, which helped American slaves dangerously escape to freedom.
02:00While Harriet Tubman herself wasn't from Georgia, Macon's Tubman Museum is the largest museum
02:06in the Southeast dedicated to her legacy and to the broader story of Black American art,
02:12history, and culture.
02:14From Macon, the trail leads us further south to Albany, a city known for its rich musical
02:21heritage, hometown legends like Ray Charles, and a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.
02:27Here, Dr. King rallied locals at Old Mount Zion Church, a gathering place that now serves
02:37as a museum where an original freedom singer, Rutha Harris, still shares stories and songs
02:43of the struggle.
02:43And I thought I was free because my dad sheltered us from all of that stuff. He didn't let us
02:50go to the movies.
02:51Continue east to Dublin, a city that blends small-town charm with deep historical roots,
02:58and a place that was a pivotal moment of confidence and inspiration of a young Martin Luther King
03:05Jr. At 14 years old, MLK delivered his very first public speech at the First African Baptist
03:11Church, stepping into leadership long before the world knew his name. Today, visitors can honor
03:18his legacy by reciting parts of that speech in the same sanctuary, then head downtown to
03:24explore murals and historic sites that celebrate Dublin's civil rights legacy along its vibrant
03:30present.
03:31The trail continues southeast to Savannah, Georgia's oldest city known for its cobblestone
03:37streets, oak-shaded squares, and coastal charm.
03:41A visit to the Civil Rights Museum in Savannah is where we can learn more about the movement
03:45here and why it's considered to have some of the most successful demonstrations in the
03:49country.
03:52But beyond the postcard views, Savannah played a defining role in the Civil Rights Movement.
03:58In 1960, sit-ins began here. And a boycott of Levy's department store that lasted 15 months.
04:06It ended with the store finally hiring black employees, making a breakthrough for equal opportunity
04:13in Savannah.
04:17Just outside Savannah is Dorchester Academy, and it's worth a stop. The place served as another
04:23safe house during the era of Jim Crow South. And it's the place where Dr. King and his team
04:28planned the Birmingham campaign. The marches, sit-ins, and boycotts that drew national attention
04:34to the movement.
04:37Tracing this civil rights trail in Georgia isn't just a look back at history. It's a chance
04:42to stand where courage reshaped a nation. With more stops across the state, and as part
04:48of the greater trail through the South, it's a journey that reminds us why these stories still
04:54don't matter today.
04:56We've been cleared for landing.
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