Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist and political philosopher who became one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. He is best known for his commitment to civil rights progress through nonviolent civil disobedience, which was rooted in his Christian faith.
King led the Montgomery bus boycott and played a key role in establishing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its president until his death. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed annually on the third Monday of January. This federal holiday honours the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and is celebrated across the United States.
Martin Luther King Jr | Source: Emlii
Who was Martin Luther King Jr?
Martin Luther King Jr. was a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement through nonviolent protests. In 1957, he decided to protest against crimes committed against Black people by forming the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
He began lecturing nationwide, urging people to actively advocate for civil rights for Black Americans. From 1955 to 1956, King led the first major nonviolent movement by organising a boycott of buses in the United States. In 1963, he organised the March on Washington, which drew an assembly of 200,000 people, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Martin Luther King Jr., who was profoundly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He received this prestigious honor for his nonviolent efforts to secure civil rights for Black Americans. At that time, King was the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and only the second African American to be honoured with this award.
He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, while standing on the balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel.
What was the Civil Rights Movement?
The Civil Rights Movement was a social initiative in the United States aimed at securing equal rights for African Americans. Led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., the movement took place from the 1940s to the 1960s and involved various forms of activism, including protests, boycotts, and lobbying efforts.
