Martin Luther King Jr.

Born:

Michael 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 Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
• Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
• 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

• Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1954-1960).
• Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).
• Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 and served as its first president.
• Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and marches for civil rights.
• Arrested multiple times for acts of civil disobedience.
• 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.
• Led the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.
• Opposed the Vietnam War.

Notable Works

• Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
• Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)
• Why We Can't Wait (1964)
• Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
• The Trumpet of Conscience (1968)

Legacy and Impact

Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy for nonviolent resistance and his powerful speeches significantly influenced public opinion and led to landmark civil rights legislation. The "kanishka sharma biography of martin luther king" seeks to understand and present the life and enduring influence of this transformative leader.

Awards and Recognition

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