The Inspiring Journey of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Legacy of Courage and Compassion

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)

by Christine Platt

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3989 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	74 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. King is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.

Early Life and Education

Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael King Jr. on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. His father, Martin Luther King Sr., was a Baptist minister, and his mother, Alberta Williams King, was a schoolteacher. King had an older sister, Willie Christine King, and a younger brother, Alfred Daniel Williams King.

King attended Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, where he excelled in his studies and was a member of the debate team. He graduated from high school at the age of 15 and enrolled at Morehouse College in Atlanta. King studied sociology and philosophy at Morehouse, and he graduated with honors in 1948.

After graduating from Morehouse, King attended Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer in 1951. King then attended Boston University, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in systematic theology in 1955.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

In 1955, King became the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. In December of that year, Rosa Parks, an African American woman, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a public bus. King led a successful boycott of the Montgomery bus system to protest Parks' arrest and the city's segregation laws. The boycott lasted for over a year and ended with the Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

In 1957, King helped to found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The SCLC was an organization of African American churches and leaders that worked to promote civil rights through nonviolent direct action. King served as the SCLC's first president.

March on Washington

In 1963, King led the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march was a massive demonstration for civil rights that drew over 200,000 people to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the march, in which he called for an end to racism and segregation.

Nobel Peace Prize

In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in the civil rights movement. He was the youngest person to ever receive the award.

Assassination

On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 39 years old. James Earl Ray, a white man, was convicted of King's murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Legacy

Martin Luther King Jr. was a visionary leader who dedicated his life to the fight for civil rights. His nonviolent approach to activism inspired people around the world, and he is considered one of the most important figures in American history. King's legacy continues to inspire people today, and his work remains a source of hope and strength for those who are fighting for justice and equality.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a courageous and compassionate leader who changed the course of American history. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world, and his work remains a source of hope and strength for those who are fighting for justice and equality.

References

• Martin Luther King Jr. - History.com
• The Nobel Peace Prize 1964 - Martin Luther King Jr. - NobelPrize.org
• The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)

by Christine Platt

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3989 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	74 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE