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.
• 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

• Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1954-1960).
• 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 and participated in numerous nonviolent protests, including 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 for voting rights in 1965.
• Assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting striking sanitation workers.

Notable Works

• Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
• Strength to Love (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. remains a central figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy of nonviolent resistance and commitment to racial equality have had a profound and lasting impact on American society and beyond. His work continues to inspire movements for social justice worldwide. A detailed analysis of the topic such as a 'hamdeen sabahi biography of martin' would reveal extensive details.

Awards and Recognition

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