10 Fun Facts About Martin Luther King
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Birth Name: Martin Luther King Jr. was originally named Michael King Jr. at birth. In 1934, his father, a pastor, traveled to Germany and became inspired by the Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther. As a result, both he and his son changed their names to Martin Luther.
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Education: King entered college at the age of 15. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology.
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Nonviolent Activism: King was a strong advocate of nonviolent civil disobedience, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. He believed in achieving social change through peaceful means and was a key figure in promoting the principles of nonviolence in the American civil rights movement.
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Nobel Peace Prize: In 1964, at the age of 35, Martin Luther King Jr. became the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in the American civil rights movement and his commitment to achieving racial equality through nonviolent means.
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March on Washington: King is best known for his role in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. This speech is considered one of the most powerful and inspiring speeches in American history.
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Time Magazine: King was named Time magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1963, becoming the first African American to receive this honor.
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Assassination: Tragically, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. His death led to widespread mourning and protests across the United States.
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National Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, close to King's birthday on January 15.
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Memorial in Washington, D.C.: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 2011. It features a 30-foot statue of King and is a tribute to his legacy and the ideals he fought for.
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Legacy: Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy continues to inspire people around the world. His contributions to the civil rights movement and his commitment to equality and justice are celebrated and remembered annually.
Want to teach your children about Martin Luther King?
Who was Dr. Martin Luther King? uses clearly written text and 80 black-and-white illustrations to explain this tumultuous time in history. This Who Was? celebrates the vision and the legacy of a remarkable man.
Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream and You Featuring a dual narrative of the key moments of Dr. King's life alongside a modern class as the students learn about him, this engaging story highlights principles that readers today can emulate in their own lives
What a remarkable life. Short but filled to the brim with impact. So as we celebrate Martin Luther King Day, its worth doing our part for his dream in the world.