Dublin in Laurens County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s First Public Speech

1st African Baptist Church of Dublin, Georgia

— April 17, 1944 —

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s First Speech Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 9, 2021

1. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s First Speech Marker

Inscription. On April 17, 1944, in the 1st A.B. Church of Dublin, Georgia, fourteen year old Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his first public speech “The Negro and the Constitution.” At this site, a seed was planted in his heart that would grow into his life’s work. His journey to the mountain top began here.

Erected 2008 by Victim's Advocate Program, Dublin Circuit.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Martin Luther King, Jr. series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 17, 1944.

Location. 32° 32.125′ N, 82° 54.414′ W. Marker is in Dublin, Georgia, in Laurens County. Marker is at the intersection of Telfair Street (U.S. 441) and Church Street, on the left when traveling north on Telfair Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level on the northeast corner of the First African Baptist Church, facing Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Telfair Street, Dublin GA 31021, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Where the Dream Began (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Captain Hardy Smith House (approx. 0.3 miles

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away); Laurens County Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away); Laurens County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jefferson Davis (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Jefferson Davis (approx. 1.1 miles away); Vallombrosa Plantation of Governor George Michael Troup (approx. 8.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dublin.

Regarding Martin Luther King, Jr.'s First Public Speech. Sometimes people witness history and don’t even realize it. That’s what happened in Dublin on April 17, 1944, when a 15-year-old named Martin Luther King Jr. stepped to the lectern at First African Baptist Church. It was a statewide public speaking contest organized by the Colored Elks Lodge. It was King’s first public speech and, of course, he won it. Little did anyone know at the time they were watching someone who would go on to change the world.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . First African Baptist Church. Explore Georgia website entry (Submitted on October 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 9, 2021

2. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s First Speech Marker

(First African Baptist Church, northeast corner • marker is mounted just left of the entrance)

First African Baptist Church (<i>north elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 9, 2021

3. First African Baptist Church (north elevation)

(marker visible at far left corner, just left of the entrance)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 4,163 times since then and 1,446 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.