On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. organized a March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom to promote civil and economic rights for African American citizens. A group of OVER 200,000 diverse people gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial to protest racial inequality in the United States.  It was at this event that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.  Dr. King had a dream that all people living in America would be treated equally, he hoped for younger generations that one day “they will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

To honor this true hero of character, the National Liberty Museum will be hosting Civil Rights Tours and History Scavenger Hunt on January 17th.  The tours and scavenger hunt will highlight civil rights events that occurred in the Greater Philadelphia region.  As you explore the museum you will find stories about each civil rights event and get a sticker to add to your scavenger hunt map!

The centerpiece of the National Liberty Museum is a two-story glass flame called the Flame of Liberty.  To help you remember Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, we encourage you to add your own dreams to our ‘Flame of Dreams Wall’ displayed in the Museum through February, 2011.

All events this day will be free of charge.  Come help us celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others who have struggled for equal rights.

Admin: D. Fiero

We were proud to honor Talib Coffield, a 10 year-old from South Philadelphia as a TD Bank Young Hero last month in our award ceremony at the National Liberty Museum.

Talib Coffield is an exceptional “friendship builder” who stands alone when it comes to meeting, helping or mediating new or current students.  What makes Talib’s skills so unique is his innate ability to recognize challenging situations among his student body. He is always the first student to help every classmate navigate the halls, classrooms or resolve any conflict between classmates.  

His teacher, Candace Kean, sang his praises when she stated that “when it comes to meeting or helping new students, or even mediating when friends argue, Talib stands alone in this field.” He goes out of his way to become friendly with newly admitted students and students who have been rejected by others, gladly inviting them into his circle. Before Talib, Kean had never seen any student come close to this type of relationship-building behavior in all of her years of teaching.

Talib not only caught our attention, but that of the South Philly Review, a community newspaper from South Philadelphia.

Congratulations to you and your family!

Admin: B.Blumenthal

The National Liberty Museum Young Heroes Award recognizes extraordinary, young people from across the area and the U.S. – from every sector of society – who make outstanding and selfless contributions to drive change from their local communities. On August 5, we were proud to recognize thirty-nine amazing youth leaders from the tri-state area.

The award, which is sponsored by TD Bank, is given to young people who make positive changes in their schools and communities through art and creative writing, leadership, volunteer work, political involvement or peer mediation.

Ron Matthew, Greater Philadelphia Market President of TD Bank, says: “These young leaders dedicate their energies to bettering the lives of others; they do not do it for financial award or publicity: they do it to make a difference.”

Receiving the Young Heroes Award empowers young people to improve the society we live in and gives them public recognition for the valuable work they do.  Each year, the event has grown to honor hundreds of outstanding students, under age 18, who are creating change through a variety of uplifting activities.

Our winner this year, Deana Vega, a remarkable 11-year-old cancer survivor who is dedicated to improving the lives of those around her, received a $1000 grand prize and a laptop computer. All winners received recognition at the Young Heroes Awards Ceremony at the National Liberty Museum; a certificate of recognition, medallion and gifts; a plaque featuring their story in the Museum’s Young Heroes Exhibit and a wonderful accomplishment to include on college and job applications.

The 2010 Young Heroes have received some outstanding press including:

Philadelphia Inquirer

Channel 6 ABC in Philadelphia

KYW Newsradio 1060 in Philadelphia

Philadelphia Tribune

Courier-Post Online

NJ.com

Admin: B Blumenthal