Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Baptist Minister, Civil Rights Activist, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
- Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
- Entered Morehouse College at the age of 15.
- Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. degree in Sociology in 1948.
- Received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951.
- Earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955.
Career and Major Achievements
- Became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama in 1954.
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) following Rosa Parks' arrest.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized numerous nonviolent protests and demonstrations for civil rights.
- Played a key role in the Birmingham Campaign of 1963.
- Delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice.
- Led the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965, advocating for voting rights.
- Opposed the Vietnam War and advocated for economic justice.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
- Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)
- Why We Can't Wait (1964)
- Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
- The Trumpet of Conscience (1968)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for racial equality through nonviolent means. His leadership and activism were instrumental in the passage of landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated as a federal holiday in the United States, commemorating his birth and legacy.
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