Mini Biography of Martin Luther King Jr, Human Rights Activist
Name: Martin Luther King Jr.
Birth Date: January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968
Job Functions: Minister, Civil Rights Activist
Fields: Ministry, Social Activism
Known For: “I Have a Dream” speech
Introduction: Martin Luther King Jr Bio
On the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Jr Day is celebrated in the United States. On this day, we honor and celebrate the contributions of one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. In his short life of 39 years, King was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.
Additionally, he was featured as Time magazine’s “Man of the Year,” and had an audience with Pope Paul VI. Most people who have lived twice as long haven’t reached that zenith in their lives. He led a series of non-violent protests to bring an end to “Jim Crow laws.”
In this mini biography of Martin Luther King Jr, you will learn about his life, work, accomplishments and the steps that he took to achieve success. But more importantly, you will see him living out his vision for racial harmony. And his eloquence enabled him to galvanize thousands of blacks and whites to press for social change.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.National Geographic ReadersStrength to LoveNine Days
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Martin Luther King Jr Steps to Success
- Started reading at age five.
- Skilled debater and won a speaking contest while still in high school.
- Martin Luther King Jr. attended Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary. And Boston University, where he earned a doctorate in philosophical theology.
- In 1955, when Rosa Parks, a seamstress, and the secretary of the Montgomery Chapter for the NAACP, was arrested because she refused to give her seat to a white rider, King led a boycott to end segregation on public transportation. Most African Americans who lived in Montgomery, carpooled, took taxis or walked great distances to go to work and school. The boycott lasted for 382 days.
- Became the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This is a group of black leaders whose objectives were to organize and coordinate the civil rights movement in the South.
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In 1959, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, he and his wife visited the country. And was able to visit the grave of Mahatma Gandhi. While there he studied up on the concept of non-violence, which gave him a tool to use for social change.
- In June 1963, King and 125,000 persons marched in a “Freedom Walk” in Detroit.
- On August 27, 1963, over 250,000 black and white citizens assembled in Washington, D.C., for a mass civil rights rally. King delivered his famous “Let Freedom Ring” address, popularly known as “I Have a Dream”.
- In 1963, King was featured as Time magazine’s “Man of the Year.”
- 1964, he got an audience with Pope Paul VI. And was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Winning the Nobel Peace Prize secured him a spot among world leaders and change agents.
- Over the years, he led rallies, boycotts, freedom walks and sit-ins to desegregate buses, restaurants, and stores. And to secure political and racial rights for African Americans.
- His actions led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Biggest Accomplishments: Why Martin Luther King’s Contribution Matters
Martin Luther King had some major wins in his short life. I've captured a few of the wins below.
- Led the right to end segregation on public transportation in Montgomery.
- Eloquence enabled him to galvanize and inspire thousands of blacks and whites with his message of racial harmony.
- Actions led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- First African American ever honored with a national holiday in the United States.
Lessons from Martin Luther King
- Learning and education matters. While at Morehouse College, he majored in sociology. This gave him an understanding of human society and how it functions. He also learned debating skills. Henry David Thoreau’s essay, Civil Disobedience introduced him to non-violent protests. His understanding of the concept of non-violence increased after he studied the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi, a Hindu Lawyer, through non-violent protests and strikes helped to secure India’s independence from Britain.
- Together each achieve more. He had a powerful vision of racial harmony. And was able to clearly articulate it to win the support of many.
- Live your beliefs. Continued the practice on non-violence even when the response to his passive resistance was violent. Remained level headed when arrested on trumped up charges.
What can you learn from the life of Martin Luther King Jr? Here are the books that Martin Luther King Jr wrote.
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.Why We Can't WaitGospel of FreedomA Time to Break SilenceA Call to ConscienceWhere Do We Go from Here
Sources Referenced/Cited
Encyclopedia of World Biography
American Social Reform Movements Reference Library
Contemporary American Religion
Encyclopedia of Philosophy
St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture
The Sixties in America Reference Library
Image Credit: Time Magazine http://www.content.time.com, Wikpedia and abovethelaw.com.
If you click on one of the link below and buy any of the books, Amazon will pay me a small commission. First Published January 2014.
