Historical context is an important part of life and literature and without it, memories, stories and characters have less meaning. ... In more technical terms, historical contextrefers to the social, religious, economic, and political conditions that existed during a certain time and place. I really hope I have answered your question.
Answer:
King turns his attention to his listeners' emotions as he quotes passages from the Bible, “My Country Tis of Thee,” and a stirring Negro spiritual. It's the elegant balance between these two elements–the intellectual and the emotional; the head and the heart–that makes his speech so compelling and satisfying
