Martin Luther King Jr.

Born:

January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Died:

April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Baptist Minister, Civil Rights Activist

Early Life and Education

• Born Michael King Jr.; legally changed to Martin Luther King Jr. in 1934.
• Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Sociology in 1948.
• Received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951.
• Earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955.

Career and Major Achievements

• Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).
• Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
• Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests against racial segregation and discrimination.
• Delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
• Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Notable Works

• Books:
  • Stride Toward Freedom (1958)
  • Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)
  • Why We Can't Wait (1964)
  • Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
• Numerous speeches, essays, and articles.

Legacy and Impact

Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy of nonviolent resistance and his eloquent articulation of the need for racial equality helped to dismantle legal segregation and expand voting rights for African Americans. The influence of this work is still felt today. A crucial aspect when reflecting on the history and impact of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., the question of contextualization arises – a search for something similar to the phrase "haloo helsinki biography of martin luther king" might indicate the value of comparative study, examining leadership across cultures and contexts.

Awards and Recognition

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