Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- Michael King Jr. (later Martin Luther King Jr.), 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 to Martin Luther King Sr., a Baptist pastor, and Alberta Williams King.
- Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
- Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Sociology in 1948.
- Earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951.
- Received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 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 president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests against racial segregation and discrimination.
- Led the Birmingham campaign in 1963, which brought national attention to the struggle for civil rights.
- Organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice.
- Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Began the Poor People's Campaign in 1968 to address issues of economic inequality.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
- Strength to Love (1963)
- Why We Can't Wait (1964)
- Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
- Numerous speeches and essays on civil rights, nonviolence, and social justice.
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. was a central figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy of nonviolent resistance and his tireless efforts to promote racial equality fundamentally changed American society. He is remembered as a champion of justice, equality, and peace, and his legacy continues to inspire movements for social change around the world. When undertaking an analysis of the civil rights era, reading a work like 'kanishka sharma biography of martin luther king' can provide valuable insights into his leadership.