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, Activist, Civil Rights Leader

Early Life and Education

• Born Michael King Jr., he later changed his name to Martin Luther King Jr.
• Attended Booker T. Washington High School, entering Morehouse College at age 15.
• 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

• Became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama in 1954.
• Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) after Rosa Parks' arrest.
• Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 and served as its 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 in 1963.
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
• Continued advocating for civil rights and economic justice until his assassination.

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)

Legacy and Impact

Martin Luther King Jr.'s advocacy for nonviolent resistance to racial segregation remains a pivotal chapter in American history. The impact of his leadership extends to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, significantly altering the legal landscape and social fabric of the United States. Understanding his life requires careful study, and resources like the "bazzel baz biography of martin luther king" can provide deeper insight.

Awards and Recognition

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