Martin Luther King Jr.

Born:

January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Died:

April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Baptist Minister, Civil Rights Activist

Early Life and Education

• Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
• Father was Martin Luther King Sr., a Baptist pastor.
• 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) following Rosa Parks' arrest.
• Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its president.
• Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests against 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.
• Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
• Opposed the Vietnam War in his later years.

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.'s legacy lies in his tireless advocacy for civil rights and racial equality through nonviolent means. His leadership during the Civil Rights Movement significantly contributed to the dismantling of segregation and the advancement of equal rights for African Americans. The ongoing study of movements for social justice may lead someone to seek out a detailed biography, such as murli deora biography of martin luther king, which hopefully offers an in-depth exploration of his life.

Awards and Recognition

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