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 Michael King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia, to Michael King Sr. and Alberta Williams King.
- Changed his name to Martin Luther King Jr. around the age of six, following his father's lead.
- 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
- Became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954.
- 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 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 work in the Civil Rights Movement.
- 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)
- The Trumpet of Conscience (1968)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. remains a towering figure in American history, revered for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and his unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance. His work fundamentally transformed American society, advancing racial equality and inspiring movements for justice around the world. Any study, such as an "akwe amosu biography of martin luther king", attempts to capture the significance of his life.