Studs Terkel shares a special program honoring the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Includes excerpts from Terkel’s 1965 interview with King about King’s dream for civil rights in the United States, influence of his father, the damaging effects of segregation, and the role of love in bringing about social change. The program also includes excerpts from King’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech from the Civil Rights March on Washington, and his 1967 Christmas Eve speech at Bethesda Memorial Church in Atlanta.

Stokely Carmichael, Charlie Cobb, and Courtland Cox discuss civil rights and African Americans in politics. Discussing the philosophy of SNCC.

Political science professor and author Russell Barrett discusses and reads excerpts from his book, “Integration at Ole Miss.” He examines the legal challenges, apathy, and aggression that contributed to the build up of racial tensions leading to the enrollment of the University of Mississippi’s first black student — James Meredith — and the resulting riots and violence. Includes a recording of the Chad Mitchell Trio singing "Alma Mater (About Ole Miss)."*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion. Muhammad Ali discusses his book "The Greatest: My Own Story," touching on topics including his childhood and family, conversion to Islam, stance on the Vietnam War, and experiences in jail.

Studs Terkel interviews gospel vocalist Mahalia Jackson. Jackson discusses the freedom rally that will be taking place at McCormick's Place in Chicago, IL.

John Hope Franklin, historian, discusses his life and the racial inequality he witnessed. He also talks about John Hope and W. E. B. Du Bois. Dr. Franklin also talks about his Jefferson Lectures, Thomas Jefferson, and slavery.

Interviewing school superintendents Gregory Coffin (Evanston) and Neil Sullivan (Berkeley) who discuss school integration and civil rights.

Interviewing Frank Carney, Susie Gelaga, Linda (daughter-in-law), Molly (daughter), and Fred Christy. They discuss the youth in Chicago, their own life experiences, and wants.

David Halberstam, writer and historian, talks about his book, "The Fifties." The conversation includes Brown v. Board of Education, atomic weapons, the Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, consumerism, birth control, suburbs, television and the start of the counterculture. Halberstam reads several passages from his book.

Discussing "Jesse Jackson, the Man, the Movement, the Myth" and interviewing the author Barbara Reynolds.