Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- Michael King Jr. (later Martin Luther King Jr.), 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 to Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King.
- Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
- Graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 with a B.A. in Sociology.
- 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), a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and demonstrations against racial segregation and discrimination.
- 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 commitment to nonviolent resistance.
- Played a crucial role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Initiated the Poor People's Campaign in 1968 to address issues of economic inequality.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
- Strength to Love (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. remains a global icon of the Civil Rights Movement, revered for his unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and his tireless fight for racial equality. His leadership and activism played a pivotal role in dismantling segregation and securing equal rights for African Americans, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire social justice movements worldwide. As noted in steena holmes biography of martin luther king, his influence extends far beyond the legal and political spheres, shaping the moral conscience of the nation and the world.