With Compassion Toward One Another: Preparing for the Challenge of Civic Unity for America250 Through the Legacy of Kennedy and King"

"With Compassion" is an initiative funded by the Library of Congress’s Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Midwest Region through Illinois State University’s Milner Library. The project focuses on the intertwined legacies of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., using their words and actions as a foundation for teaching civic courage, intellectual humility, and public service.

Why It Matters

The events of April 4, 1968—when Robert F. Kennedy delivered a historic speech in Indianapolis following the assassination of Dr. King, serves as a touchstone for this program. Educators will explore how to teach this powerful moment in American history, fostering student engagement with themes of leadership, justice, and empathy.

Explore the legacies of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the lens of primary sources from the Library of Congress. Our workshop, funded by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Midwest Region through Illinois State University’s Milner Library, is a collaboration between the Center for Economic and Civic Learning, the Indiana Historical Society, and Ball State Libraries and Archives. It equips educators to teach civic courage, empathy, and public service.

Join Us for an Engaging Experience

Register for the upcoming Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Workshop at Ball State. This workshop is focused on utilizing primary sources from the Library of Congress to teach civic courage, intellectual humility, and public service.

Date: July 28-30, 2025
Location: Ball State University, Muncie, IN 

How to Register

Registration is now open for the With Compassion Toward One Another Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Workshop. To register, please click the link below.

This three-day workshop offers a rich, in-person professional development experience focused on teaching with primary sources from the Library of Congress. Participants will engage with the legacies of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to explore civic themes that resonate today.

Register Here

Coming Soon: A curated collection of lesson plans, teaching materials, and primary sources to support your classroom instruction. These resources are designed to help educators teach civic courage, intellectual humility, and public service through the legacies of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

You will find:

  • Ready-to-use lesson plans aligned with national standards
  • Primary source sets from the Library of Congress
  • Instructional strategies for teaching difficult histories with compassion
  • Multimedia materials including archival footage and photographs
  • Links to the Library of Congress’s Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) tools and databases

Check back soon for downloadable content and updates. All resources will be free and accessible to educators participating in the workshop.

  • Indiana Historical Society: Digitized archives and best practices for historical inquiry.
  • Ball State Libraries and Archives: Access to the RFK Collection and training resources.
  • Library of Congress (TPS Midwest Region): Primary sources, funding, and pedagogical support.