Martin Luther King Jr. Biography

Martin Luther King Jr. was famous for his dreams. He was born January 15th, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia to Alberta King and his Michael Luther King. He was originally named Michael Luther King Jr. and later changed his first name to Martin. He started out as a Baptist minister and helped to found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. During that time he became a one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement.

In 1948 Martin Luther King received a Bachelors Degree in sociology after attending the Morehouse College. In 1953 he married Coretta Scott. They later had four children.

In 1955 black residents launched a bus boycott after Rosa Parks retaliated against for refusing to go to the back of a public bus. The boycott elected Martin Luther King Jr. the president of the Montgomery Improvement Association.

In 1957 Martin Luther King Jr. was award 3 honorary degrees; Doctor of Humane Letters, Morehouse College, Doctor of Laws, Howard University and Doctor of Divinity, Chicago Theological Seminary.

1958 was another exciting year for Martin Luther King. He published his first book, Stride Toward Freedom. He was also awarded the Doctor of Laws from Morgan State College and the Doctor of Humanities, from Central State College.

In 1959 he received the Doctor of Divinity from Boston University.

In 1961 He received two more Honorary degrees Doctor of Laws from Lincoln University and Doctor of Laws and University of Bridgeport.

Martin Luther King Jr. supported the movement of black students for sit-in protests formed the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in 1960. In 1961 he decided not to participate in the Freedom Rides and younger activists got very upset. He then faced criticism for not participating in the rides.

In 1962 Martin Luther King Jr. received the Doctor of Civil Laws from the Bard College.

In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. was the primary cause for the March on Washington where he gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. His speech helped make many Americans aware of the civil rights movement and gained him the title as one of the greatest orators in American history.

"I have a dream today that one day, little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with the little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today"

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

1964 was another historical year for Martin Luther King Jr. His efforts to end racial discrimination and segregation won him the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the youngest person to ever receive the award. He received for honorary awards in 1964; Doctor of Divinity from Wesleyan College, Doctor of Laws from Jewish Theological Seminary,

Doctor of Laws from Yale University, and Doctor of Divinity from Springfield College .

On April 4th, 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. This day has become known as Bloody Sunday.

In 1968, January 15th was officially declared as a national holiday in the United States. Since then the U.S. has observed this day in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.