# Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and civil rights activist who became the most visible spokesperson for the American civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. Influenced by Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance, he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, organized the 1963 March on Washington where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, and helped secure the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

## Quick Facts

- **Born:** January 15, 1929
- **Birthplace:** Atlanta, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Occupation:** Civil Rights Leader
- **Category:** Power & Politics
- **Also Known As:** MLK, The Drum Major for Justice

## Timeline

### 1929 — Born in Atlanta
Michael King Jr. (later Martin Luther King Jr.) born in Atlanta, Georgia.

### 1955 — Montgomery Bus Boycott
Leads the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Rosa Parks' arrest, his first major civil rights action.

### 1963 — I Have a Dream Speech
Delivers the 'I Have a Dream' speech to 250,000 people at the March on Washington.

### 1964 — Civil Rights Act Signed
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is signed into law, banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

### 1964 — Nobel Peace Prize
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at age 35, the youngest recipient at the time.

### 1968 — Assassination
Assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee at age 39.

## Quotes

> "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
> — Martin Luther King Jr., Goodreads

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Source: https://peoplebio.info/p/martin-luther-king-jr