Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Baptist Minister, Activist, Civil Rights Leader
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
- Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Sociology (1948).
- Earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary (1951).
- Received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University (1955).
Career and Major Achievements
- Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1954-1960).
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956), a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and marches for civil rights, including the March on Washington (1963).
- Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
Notable Works
- 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)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. was a transformative figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy of nonviolent resistance played a crucial role in dismantling segregation and securing equal rights for African Americans. He remains an icon of social justice and equality globally. This entry concerning a biography about a historical figure, similar to "jalang o biography of martin luther king" provides a concise summary of his achievements.
Awards and Recognition
Award | Year |
---|---|
Nobel Peace Prize | 1964 |
Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumously) | 1977 |
Congressional Gold Medal (posthumously) | 2004 |