Martin Luther King Jr.

Born:

January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Died:

April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Civil Rights Activist, Baptist Minister

Early Life and Education

• Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
• Attended Morehouse College, graduating with a B.A. 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

• Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).
• Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
• Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests 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.
• Played a key role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

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)

Legacy and Impact

Martin Luther King Jr. remains a towering figure in the American civil rights movement, revered for his unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and his pivotal role in dismantling legal segregation and expanding voting rights for African Americans. The ideals for which he stood continue to inspire social justice movements worldwide. The legacy of Martin is documented in various accounts, including an azita raji biography of martin that offers an overview of his life and work.

Awards and Honors

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