Occupation: Civil Rights Leader
Born: January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA
Died: April 4, 1968 in Memphis, TN
Best known for: His "I have a dream"
speech
Biography:
Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil
rights activist in the 1950s and
1960s. He led non-violent protests to
fight for the rights of all people
including African Americans. He
hoped that America and the world
could become a colorblind society
where race would not impact a
person's civil rights. He is considered
one of the great orators of modern
times and his speeches still inspire
many to this day.
Where did Martin grow up?
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in
Atlanta, GA on January 15, 1929. He
went to Booker T. Washington High
School. He was so smart that he
skipped two grades in high school
and started his college education at
Morehouse College at the young age
of fifteen. After getting his degree in
sociology from Morehouse, Martin got
a divinity degree from Crozer
Seminary and then got his doctor's
degree in theology from Boston
University.
Martin's dad was a preacher which
inspired Martin to pursue the ministry
as well. He had a younger brother
and an older sister. In 1953 he
married Coretta Scott. Later they
would have four children Yolanda,
Martin, Dexter, and Bernice.
How did he get involved in civil
rights?
In his first major civil rights action,
Martin Luther King Jr. led the
Montgomery Bus Boycott. This
started when Rosa Parks refused to
move to give up her seat on a bus to
a white man. As a result, Martin led a
boycott of the public transportation
system. The boycott lasted for over a
year. It was very tense at times.
Martin was arrested and his house
was bombed, but in the end he
prevailed and segregation on the
Montgomery busses ended.
When did King give his famous "I
have a Dream" speech?
In 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. helped
to organize the famous March on
Washington. Over 250,000 people
attended this march in an effort to
show the importance of civil rights
legislation. Some of the issues the
march hoped to accomplish included
an end to segregation in public
schools, protection from police
abuse, and to get laws preventing
discrimination in employment.
It was at this march where Martin
gave his "I have a Dream" speech.
This speech has become one of the
most famous speeches in history.
The march and Martin's speech were
a success. The Civil Rights Act was
passed a year later in 1964.
How did he die?
Martin Luther King Jr. was
assassinated on April 4. 1968 in
Memphis, TN. He was shot by James
Earl Ray while standing on the
balcony of his hotel.
Fun Facts about Martin Luther King
Jr.
King was the youngest person to be
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in
1964.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a
national holiday.
At the Atlanta premier of the movie
Gone with the Wind, Martin sang with
his church choir.
There are over 730 streets in the
United States named after Martin
Luther King Jr.
One of his main influences was
Mohandas Gandhi who taught
protesting in a non-violent manner.
He was awarded the Congressional
Gold Medal and the Presidential
Medal of Freedom.
The name on his original birth
certificate is Michael King. This was
a mistake, however. He was
supposed to be named after his
father who was named for the leader
of the Christian reformation
movement, Martin Luther.
He is often referred to by his initials
MLK.
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