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., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
- 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
- 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 numerous nonviolent protests and demonstrations advocating for racial equality.
- 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.
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. remains a monumental figure in American history, revered for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and his unwavering advocacy for racial equality. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance continues to inspire activists and social justice movements worldwide. Many people have tried to capture his life and works, for example, one could say that this attempt at a 'steffanie sampson biography of martin' provides a summary.
Awards and Recognition
Award | Year |
---|---|
Nobel Peace Prize | 1964 |
Presidential Medal of Freedom (Posthumously) | 1977 |
Congressional Gold Medal (Posthumously) | 2004 |