Martin luther king jr theodore hesburgh biography

On a late spring day in 1964, Father Theodore Hesburgh, CSC, answered the phone with an invitation. Martin Luther King's crusade had moved north to Chicago, and a massive rally was being planned for June 21 at Soldier Field.

martin luther king jr theodore hesburgh biography1

Would Hesburgh, a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, show the flag for church and state? He agreed.

At the rally, Hesburgh gave an endorsement of the milestone Civil Rights Act, which banned segregation in the nation’s schools and public places, and was awaiting President Lyndon Johnson’s signature.

“Be proud to be a Negro,” he told a crowd estimated at 57,000.

“We want to strive for dignity with you.” He linked arms with King to sing the movement’s anthem, “We Shall Overcome.”

A still-unknown photographer captured the moment, and, while Hesburgh received a copy of the photo shortly after the rally, it didn't take off in the campus imagination until much later. Hesburgh was presented with another copy of the photo follow Father Hesburgh: Life & Legacy - University of Notre Dame, carousel QIBI