Arguably, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) is the most well-known Georgian. His work during the Civil Rights Movement earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and led to the national holiday created in his honor. Due to King’s tireless efforts and devotion to non-violent protest, he is often thought of as the “leader” of the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Born in Atlanta, King graduated from high school at the age of 15, and began his college studies at Morehouse. As the son and grandson of ministers, King eventually chose the same profession. He earned his Ph.D. in Divinity from Boston University. It was there that he met his wife Coretta Scott.
In 1954, King accepted an offer to become the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A year later he found himself serving as the spokesman for the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. After his success with the boycott, King, along with other civil rights groups, attempted a similar action in Albany that was considered to be less successful. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, King’s short career seemed to follow this pattern of brilliant victories such as the March on Washington, his creation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and winning the Nobel Peace Prize, followed by unsuccessful campaigns such as his focus on discrimination in Chicago.
Nonetheless, King was instrumental in ending segregation and changing America’s views on race and racial equality. Unfortunately, while he did not live to see the fruits of his labor, his efforts and leadership have led to an America where some of the ideals from his I Have A Dream speech have been met.
Note: Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only African-American to have a federal holiday named in his honor. Also, he is the only African-American and non-president to have a memorial created in his honor on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Note: In 1958 an assassination attempt was made on Dr. King. An African-American woman in New York stabbed him in the chest during a book signing.
Note: Dr. King’s first name was actually Michael until his father took a trip to Europe and changed it in tribute of the protestant reformer Martin Luther.
Born in Atlanta, King graduated from high school at the age of 15, and began his college studies at Morehouse. As the son and grandson of ministers, King eventually chose the same profession. He earned his Ph.D. in Divinity from Boston University. It was there that he met his wife Coretta Scott.
In 1954, King accepted an offer to become the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A year later he found himself serving as the spokesman for the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. After his success with the boycott, King, along with other civil rights groups, attempted a similar action in Albany that was considered to be less successful. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, King’s short career seemed to follow this pattern of brilliant victories such as the March on Washington, his creation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and winning the Nobel Peace Prize, followed by unsuccessful campaigns such as his focus on discrimination in Chicago.
Nonetheless, King was instrumental in ending segregation and changing America’s views on race and racial equality. Unfortunately, while he did not live to see the fruits of his labor, his efforts and leadership have led to an America where some of the ideals from his I Have A Dream speech have been met.
Note: Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only African-American to have a federal holiday named in his honor. Also, he is the only African-American and non-president to have a memorial created in his honor on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Note: In 1958 an assassination attempt was made on Dr. King. An African-American woman in New York stabbed him in the chest during a book signing.
Note: Dr. King’s first name was actually Michael until his father took a trip to Europe and changed it in tribute of the protestant reformer Martin Luther.
"The time is always right to do what is right" -Martin Luther King Jr.
The Story of MLK Jr. as told by Kid President
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xXZhXTFWnE