Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Died
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- 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.
- Graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 with a B.A. in Sociology.
- Graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951 with a B.Div.
- Earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955.
Career and Major Achievements
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956), a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 and served as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and marches for civil rights.
- Delivered the "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 segregation.
- Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom (1958)
- Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)
- Why We Can't Wait (1964)
- Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for nonviolent resistance to racial segregation and discrimination. His leadership and activism were instrumental in the passage of landmark civil rights legislation. His work continues to inspire movements for social justice and equality worldwide.
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