College West in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Photographed by Flexible Fotography, October 1, 2025
1. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Marker
Open Air Theatre - San Diego State College
May 29th, 1964
"We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools."
On May 29th, 1964, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. visited San Diego State College and gave a public address in the open air theatre. His impassioned speech urged all Americans to push for the passage of legislation that would help rid the nation of racial prejudice, bigotry, and intolerance. Dr. King's landmark appearance on Montezuma Mesa in the late spring of 1964 came at a most important time in U.S. history. It was less than six weeks before President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, formally outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This time was also one of Dr. King's most acclaimed periods, he was named Time Magazine's Man of the Year in December of 1963 and was the youngest person ever (at the age of 35) to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in December of 1964. King donated all of his Nobel Prize money to the civil rights movement.
(marking the 50th anniversary of this historic event)
Dedicated in 2014 by: SDSU Associated Students - SDSU Alumni Association & The California Cost Credit Union
Erected 2014 by SDSU Associated
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Martin Luther King, Jr. series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 29, 1964.
Location. 32° 46.453′ N, 117° 4.248′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in College West. It can be reached from Campanile Drive north of Montezuma Road, on the right when traveling north. Located at the southeast entrance to the Open Air Theatre, near the ticket office & credit union. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego CA 92115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: San Diego State University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Padre Luis Jayme (approx. 2.2 miles away); Mission Indians (approx. 2.2 miles away); El Camino Real (approx. 2.2 miles away); Mission San Diego de Alcala (approx. 2.2 miles away); La Capilla (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Five Churches of Mission San Diego de Alcalα (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.
Also see . . .
1. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks at San Diego State (Youtube, 0:55)
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Marker
2. 1964 Interview: Martin Luther King Jr. in San Diego (Youtube, 5:23). Full title: 1964 Interview: Martin Luther King Jr. in San Diego to garner support for the Civil Rights Act. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent 11 hours in San Diego in May 1964. He spoke to packed houses at San Diego State University and Cal Western University (now the site of Point Loma Nazarene.) And he made time for an exclusive one-on-one interview with CBS 8s Harold Keen (Submitted on October 12, 2025.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2025, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. 2. submitted on February 13, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
