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, Author
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.
- Graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary with a B.Div. 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).
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 and served as its first president.
- Organized the Birmingham Campaign in 1963.
- 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.
- Led the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.
- Opposed the Vietnam War in his later years.
- Assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
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. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy of nonviolent resistance led to significant legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This is a brief summary following research for the `temi akinyemi biography of martin luther king`.
His legacy continues to inspire activists and advocates for social justice around the world. A national holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is celebrated annually in the United States in his honor.