History of Martin Luther King Jr.

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US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Junior waves to supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 on the Mall in Washington DC during the March on Washington. 

Tyler Lewis
January 23, 2017

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an American icon who along with other notable leaders led the Civil Rights Movement in the ’50s and ’60s. Take a look back at his life and career. 

Jan. 15, 1929 – Martin Luther King Jr. was born. His parents were Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King.

1944 – 1948 – MLK Jr. completed his bachelors of arts in sociology from Morehouse. He was admitted early into Morehouse at the age of 15. 

1951 – 1955: MLK Jr. completed his Ph.D. in systematic theology at Boston University, School of Theology. 

June 18, 1953: MLK Jr. married Coretta Scott.

1957: MLK Jr. was elected as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. 

Jan. 22, 1960: MLK Jr. spoke at Iowa State University. His speech was titled “The Moral Challenges of the New Age”.

Aug. 28, 1963: MLK Jr. was one of the driving forces behind the March on Washington. He also famously gave his “I Have a Dream Speech.”

1964: MLK Jr. became the youngest person ever to be awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. 

April 4, 1968: MLK Jr.’s life was cut short when he was assassinated at the Lorraine Hotel.