Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr is Born

Jan 15, 1929

Michael (Martin) Luther King, Jr. is born in the family home at 501 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia. He was the second child and the first son born to Reverend Michael (Martin) Luther King, Sr. and his wife, Alberta Williams King.

Education

1948

Martin Luther King, Jr. graduated high school at the age of 15. He continued his education at Morehouse College where he earned a B.A. degree in 1948. In 1955 he received a doctorate degree from Boston University.

Martin Marries Coretta

Jun 18, 1953

Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King, Jr. were married on June 18, 1953, on the lawn of her mother's house; the ceremony was performed by Martin Jr.'s father, Martin Luther King, Sr.

King Elected president of Montgomery Improvement Association

1955

Inspired by Rosa Parks, a group of Montgomery African Americans refuse to ride buses. Group called Montgomery Improvement Association forms and elects 26 year old King as president.

King Elected President of Southern Christian Leadership Conference

1957

In 1957 MLK was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization formed to provide new leadership for the now burgeoning civil rights movement.

King's First Book, "Stride Toward Freedom" is Published

1958

King writes a book titled "Stride Toward Freedom" that describes the Montgomery bus boycotts.

MLK Delivers " I Have A Dream" Speech

Aug 28, 1963

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is held in Washington, D.C. to try and gain support for the Civil Rights Act. King gives his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Youngest Man to Win Nobel Peace Prize

Dec 10, 1964

At the age of 35, King is the youngest person awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He is praised for calling for peaceful resistance to discrimination against African Americans.

Martin Luther King Jr. is Assassinated in Memphis

Apr 4, 1968

While standing on a motel balcony in Memphis, King is assassinated by James Earl Ray. Riots break out in over 100 cities in the U.S. and over 20,000 people are arrested.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday is Declared a National Holiday

Nov 2, 1986

In honor of his work for equality in the U.S., King's birthday is declared a national holiday. He is one of only two people, along with Christopher Columbus, to have his own holiday.