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Malcolm X was Born
Malcolm X was born on May 19, 1925, as Malcolm Little. He was born in Omaha Nebraska and was the seventh of eight children. His mom, Louise Norton Little, took care of the family. His father, Earl Little, however, was an outspoken Baptist minister and avid supporter of Black Nationalist Leader, Marcus Garvey. -
Malcolm's Father Dies
Malcolm's father dies on September 28, 1931 because a car ran him over. Malcolm believed white racists were responsible for this. Authorities ruled his death an accident. They said he fell and slipped under the car's wheels. Newspaper account of Earl Little's Death. -
Malcolm Becomes A Foster
After 8th Grade, Malcolm drops out of school. His Mother, Louise Little, has a nervous break down and is considered legally insane. Malcolm's siblings, including himself, split up and get sent to different foster homes. Louise is sent to a mental hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She stays there until Malcolm and his siblings secured her release 26 years later. -
Ordered To Register for the Military
When Malcolm was 18, World War II was still raging. He was asked to Register for the Military. Malcolm, however, had no intention of being drafted into the Army. To avoid being drafted, he said he could not wait to "steal us some guns, and kill us [some] crackers". Military Physicians classified him as "mentally disqualified for military service". He was issued a 4-F card (which means they cannot let him work in the military), relieving him of his service obligations. -
Malcolm was Arrested
Malcolm was arrested for burglary while trying to pick up a stolen watch he had left for repairs at a jewelry shop. The shop owner called the police because the watch seemed too expensive for the average Roxbury resident. Little told the police that he had a gun on his person and surrendered so the police would treat him more leniently. Click Here for more information. -
Malcolm Changes his Surname to "X"
Malcolm was released from prison in 1952, having knowledge about the World of Islam (preached by Elijah Muhammad). He went to visit Elijah in Chicago. Then, like many of the members of Islam, he changed his surname to "X". He explained the "X" in his autobiography by saying "The Muslim's X symbolized the true African family name that he could never know. For me, my 'X' replaced the white slavemaster name of 'Little' which some blue-eyed devil named Little had imposed upon my paternal forebears." -
Malcolm Marries Betty Sanders
The two have been friends for about a year although they never discussed the subject. Betty suspected Malcolm was interested in marriage. One day, he called and asked her to marry him. The couple had six daughters. Attallah (1958), Qubilah (1960), Ilyasah (1962), Gamilah Lumumba (1964), and twins, Malaak and Malikah (1965). The twins were born after there fathers assassination. Click here for more info on Betty. -
Malcolm X Announces his Break From The Nation of Islam
He said he was still a Muslim, but he felt the Nation of Islam had "gone as far as it can" because of it's rigid religious teachings. Malcolm X said he was going to organize a black nationalist organization that would try to "heighten the political consciousness" of African Americans. He also expressed his desire to work with other civil rights leaders and said that Elijah Muhammad had prevented him from doing so in the past. -
Malcolm X's Pilgrimage to Mecca
Malcolm went to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. He said the trip proved life altering. For the first time, Malcolm shared his thoughts and beliefs with different cultures and found the result to be overwhelmingly positive. He returned to the U.S. with a new outlook on integration and new hope for the future. This time when Malcolm spoke, instead of just preaching for colored people, he had a message for all races. Click Here for more. -
The Nation of Islam Make Threats Against Malcolm X
After leaving the Islam Nation, Malcolm spoke with a variety of audiences in the U.S. Malcolms growing public criticism of Elijah and the Islam Nation prompted anonymous threats against his life. In an article Louis X said,"[S]uch a man as Malcolm is worthy of death, and would have met with death if it had not been for Muhammad's confidence in Allah for victory over the enemies." Click Here for someone's opinion at the time. -
Malcolm's House is Firebombed
The Nation of Islam sued to reclaimed Malcolm X's residence which they claimed to own. The suit was successful and Malcolm X was ordered to vacate. On this date, the night before a scheduled hearing to postpone the eviction date, the house burned to the ground. Malcolm and the rest of the family survived. No one was charged with any crime. House is Firebombed -
Malcolm X Assassinated
Malcolm was assassinated in Manhattan's Audibon Ballroom. Malcolm was speaking in a meeting when a disturbance broke out in the crowd. As Malcolm X and his body guards moved to quiet the disturbance, a man rushed forward and shot Malcolm in the chest with a sawed-off shotgun. Two other men charged the stage and fired handguns, hitting Malcolm 16 times. He was pronounced dead soon after. Click Here for more info. -
Malcolm X's Funeral
The number of people who came to the public viewing in Harlem's Unity Funeral Home from February 23 - 26 was estimated to be between 14,000 - 30,000. The Funeral of Malcolm X was held on February 27 in Faith Temple, Church of God and Christ. The church was filled with over 1,000 people. Loudspeakers were set up outside the Temple so the overflowing crowd could listen and a local television station broadcast the funeral live. Click Here for some overall info.
