1. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2. His birth name was Michael King Jr., and his father changed both of their names to Martin Luther in honor of the German Protestant reformer.
3. He attended segregated schools and went on to graduate high school at the age of 15.
4. King became an ordained minister when he was only 18 years old.
5. Martin Luther King Jr. earned a degree in sociology from Morehouse College in 1948, a Bachelor of Divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951, and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955.
6. In 1953, he married Coretta Scott, and they went on to have four children: Yolanda, Martin Luther III, Dexter, and Bernice.
7. As an advocate for civil rights, King emphasized nonviolent protest as a means to achieve social change.
8. He helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, leading to an end of racial segregation on public transportation.
9. King’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement led to the establishment of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, which aimed to advance social reform through nonviolent activism.
10. In August 1963, King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which attracted more than 250,000 people from different races and religions.
11. The “I Have a Dream” speech called for an end to racism and emphasized economic opportunity for all Americans regardless of their race or social standing.
12. His efforts contributed significantly to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed racial segregation and discrimination in the United States.
13. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent efforts towards civil rights and social justice.
14. He showed solidarity with other oppressed communities, including speaking out against the Vietnam War and advocating for fair wages and safe working conditions for sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee.
15. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, by James Earl Ray.
16. In 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a national holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January.
17. His life and legacy continue to inspire activists worldwide who strive for civil rights, freedom, and equality for all people.
These 17 meaningful facts about Martin Luther King Jr. offer a way to introduce his impactful life and achievements to students in the classroom and encourage meaningful discussions about civil rights, equality, and nonviolent activism.
