On the occasion of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are moved to highlight two rare objects from our Ed J. Williams collection. The collection features over 4,000 objects that embody the complexity of Black life. Many of the objects are challenging, as they depict images of antiblack violence, pain, and loss. Others showcase moments of everyday Black joy, vibrancy, and celebration. Two such examples embody the complexity of the entire collection as they commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.-- his greatness, his impact, and his struggle for Civil Rights for Black Americans—but they do so on the heels of his 1968 assassination, a moment of immense collective grief and loss for those fighting for Black freedom. Photo 1: Martin Luther King Jr., The Journey of a Martyr (1968) This 1968 memorial book is of the great Civil Rights leader, published soon after his assassination. The book is entirely composed of quotations from MLK and features candid photos of the famed leader with his family, civic leaders, and meeting with communities across the U.S. It is a touching tribute that offers a rare and moving glimpse into the quieter moments in MLK Jr.’s life. Photo 2: Life Magazine Cover (1968) Published eight days after his assassination, Life Magazine dedicated an entire memorial isssue to Martin Luther King Jr. As a media source with a far-reaching American audience, it was incredibly powerful that the editors at Life focused on covering the gruesome details of King’s assassination, which was their featured story in this issue. By opening up a broader American audience to these journalistic details, Life exposed a national audience to the brutality of King’s assassination.