Today was our fourth day on our intercession trip and our last day in Memphis. We started the day with a two-hour drive to the Lorraine Motel, home to the National Civil Rights Museum and the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The drive was well worth the experience.
At the museum, we learned about 400 years of Black history and the journey for civil rights. A few key events we explored included the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Brown v. Board of Education, Ruby Bridges, and the Little Rock Nine. The museum concluded in the very motel room where Dr. King was staying on the day he was assassinated.
After leaving the museum, we headed to the Arcade Restaurant, a family-owned establishment that has been running for four generations. The restaurant has been visited by many influential people, including Elvis Presley.
Next, we boarded a Memphis riverboat for an educational cruise on the Mississippi River. We learned about the history of Memphis and the river, which runs through 10 states! The river was also the site of a historic shipping disaster and played a crucial role during the Civil War. Toward the end of the cruise, we took a break from history and had a quick dance party to Turn Down for What and Uptown Funk on the lower deck.
Our last activity of the day was visiting Beale Street to shop and pick up souvenirs. Along the way, we met a street performer who could flip over 5-6 people at a time, and we all took turns participating.
To end the day, we went to Loflin Yard, an outdoor restaurant where we had fun and played cornhole. Our last day in Memphis was an amazing experience, and we got to explore so many exciting places!
By: Zeta and Maeve
