Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and activist who played a pivotal role in the American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for advocating nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience to achieve racial equality.
Early Life and Education
- Born in Atlanta, Georgia, to a prominent African American family.
- Attended Morehouse College at the age of 15 and later earned a Ph.D. in theology from Boston University.
- Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus’ teachings on love, he adopted a philosophy of nonviolent resistance.
Civil Rights Leadership
- Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956): Led after Rosa Parks’ arrest, helping to desegregate buses.
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) (1957): Founded this organization to further civil rights causes.
- Birmingham Campaign (1963): His peaceful protests against segregation led to his arrest and famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
- March on Washington (1963): Delivered the legendary “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial.
- Civil Rights Act of 1964: His activism contributed to the passage of this law, which outlawed segregation.
- Selma to Montgomery March (1965): Helped secure the Voting Rights Act of 1965, ensuring African Americans’ right to vote.
Assassination and Legacy
- April 4, 1968: King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, by James Earl Ray.
- His legacy continues through Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. national holiday observed annually on the third Monday of January.
- His work remains a cornerstone of global movements for justice and equality.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s dedication to peace, justice, and equality remains an inspiration worldwide. His words—“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”—continue to resonate today.
