Martin Luther King Jr. has a well documented presence in Detroit. He made a number of notable appearances in the city that inspired many working for civil rights in Detroit, including Grace Lee Boggs. King’s most famous Detroit appearance was the June 23, 1963 “Walk to Freedom” where 125,000 marched with him down Woodward Ave. and 25,000 listened to his speech in Cobo Arena. The 1963 speech was a test run for his ‘I Have a Dream” speech given during the March on Washington in August of the same year.

“I have a dream this afternoon, that one day, right here in Detroit, Negroes will be able to buy a house or rent a house anywhere that their money will carry them, and they will be able to get a job.”

1. 1958 – King gives speech at 78th annual National Baptist Convention of America held at the King Solomon Baptist Church
2. June 23, 1963 – “Walk to Freedom” down Woodward (start at Adelaide), speech afterwards in Cobo Hall
3. Sept. 1963 – National Baptists Congress held at the King Solomon Baptist Church
4. 1968 – “The Future of Integration” speech at Grosse Pointe [South] High School

A bust King was placed in pocket park at corner of Rosa Parks Blvd. & E. Grand Blvd. in 1981. Other namesakes include: Eastern High School renamed in 1968 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, Martin Luther King Apartments, Martin Luther King Junior Education Center, and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Anyone know what year Myrtle was renamed to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd?