Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Baptist Minister, Activist, Civil Rights Leader
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
- Attended Booker T. Washington High School, skipping grades.
- Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Sociology in 1948.
- Earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951.
- Received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955.
Career and Major Achievements
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized numerous nonviolent protests and marches for civil rights.
- Arrested over 20 times for civil disobedience.
- Delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963).
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
- Campagined for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Initiated the Poor People's Campaign to address poverty and economic inequality.
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. His advocacy for nonviolent resistance and his tireless efforts to achieve racial equality had a profound and lasting impact on American society. His work continues to inspire movements for social justice and equality worldwide.
Reading an "erhun kula biography of martin luther king" provides insights into his life's journey.