By: Nick Mancuso

Early Years Born Michael Luther King Jr. on January 15, 1929 Atlanta, Georgia Parents: Michael Luther King and Alberta Williams King Father was pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church

Education Attended segregated public schools in the south Graduated high school at 15 years of age Received B.A. in 1958 from Morehouse College Well known African-American college in Atlanta; Father and Grandfather studied here also

Education Con ’ t Studied theology at Crozer Theological Seminary near Chester, PA Elected class president Graduated as class valedictorian Won a fellowship from Crozer; enrolled in graduate program at Boston University Completed residence in 1953; earned doctorate in 1955 Met his wife, Coretta Scott, during his studies in Boston

Montgomery Bus Boycott Named president of Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) Spurred by arrest of Rosa Parks Primary spokesman for movement Formed pacifist protest strategy Combined Christian social gospel ideas with nonviolent precept of Mohandus Ghandi Success: Supreme Court outlawed bus segregation

Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Founded in 1957 Purpose: coordinate civil rights activities throughout the South President of the SCLC

First Assassination Attempt (1958) Stride Toward Freedom Memoir of Montgomery Bus Boycott Signing copies at Blumstein ’ s Department Store in Harlem, NY on September 20, yr-old Izola Ware Curry stabbed King Doctor: “ he was a sneeze away from death ”

King in India American Friends Service Committee sends King on month long trip to India Strengthen understanding of Ghandi Reaffirms nonviolent strategy

Return to Atlanta Moved him and family back to Atlanta in 1960 Be closer to headquarters of the struggling SCLC Also became co-pastor with father at Ebenezer Baptist Church

Albany Movement Torn between increasing militant protesting 1961 and 1962: had differences with Nonviolent Coordinating Committee King arrested twice during protests Left Albany after released without achieving goal His role as civil rights leader questioned

Birmingham Campaign Initiated by SCLC in 1963 Most massive civil rights protest at time King arrested on April 12 Kennedy Admin. Intervenes Televised pictures of event led to national outcry President Kennedy enacts major civil rights legislation as a result

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom Memorable “ I have a dream …” speech (August 28, 1968) Attended by 200,000+ and culmination of civil rights protests in the North Goal: African-American quest to enjoy civil liberties listed in U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence I have a dream speech Time Magazine ’ s “ Man of the Year ” (1963) Nobel Piece Prize (1964)

Limited Influence Black Radicals and Black Nationalism (Malcom X) diminish King ’ s influence King refused to abandon his Ghandian school of thought and would not be persuaded by black nationalists Touched upon in Where Do We Go From Here? Remained in spotlight Protested Vietnam War

Poor People ’ s Campaign / Memphis Sanitation Strike Last work in 1967 Designed to strengthen anti-poverty efforts by federal government Also involved in Memphis sanitation workers strike in Tennessee King led thousands on a march through downtown Memphis (March 28, 1968) King receives backlash for riots and looters

Assassination of MLK King returned to Memphis in early April to address audience at Bishop Charles J. Mason Temple The following evening (April 4, 1968), King Assassinated on the Balcony of the Lorrain Motel in Memphis by white segregationist, James Earl Ray

After His Death Posthumously published essay “ A Testament of Hope ” 1969 Urged blacks to refrain from violence of black nationalists His wife, Coretta Scott King, established the “ King Center ” in Atlanta Teach nonviolent social change Coretta Scott King successfully petitioned congress for national holiday in husband ’ s honor First celebrated in 1986

Sources kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_ martin_luther_king_jr_biography/ kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_ martin_luther_king_jr_biography/ ing-bio.html ing-bio.html All images accessed through Google.com