We invite you to explore the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy when we host Local Speech, Global Reach, one of the Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS’s) traveling exhibits. The exhibit will be on display from Saturday, February 5 to Thursday, March 3, at the Global Village Welcome Center.

Local Speech, Global Reach focuses on the unique moment in history that took place in Indiana on April 4, 1968. While in Indianapolis for a presidential campaign event, Kennedy instead broke the news of King’s death in an impromptu speech encouraging peace, hope, bravery and conciliation. Kennedy’s words left a deep impression on all who heard them, and he was later credited with keeping peace in Indianapolis, even as major cities across the country experienced riots.

In addition, the traveling exhibit takes a closer look at the civil rights movement in Indianapolis and the park now marking the location of the historic speech. It also shares the inspiring stories of several human rights defenders working around the globe.

Local Speech, Global Reach is the result of a collaboration between IHS and the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative, marking the 50th anniversary of King’s death in 2018. The nonprofit advocacy group Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights provided the displayed biographies and images of human rights defenders.

A supplemental Black Heritage exhibit from the Global Village Welcome Center will focus on local, unsung heroes, as well as sheroes of Black History including a different performance every Saturday in February at 2 p.m.