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Martin Luther King Jr.: A History All-Star

Walt Whitman

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Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most iconic figures in American history. His leadership and activism played a major role in the civil rights movement and helped to achieve major victories for African Americans. This book tells the story of King's life and work, from his childhood in Atlanta to his assassination in Memphis.

Early Life and Education

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. His father was a minister and his mother was a teacher. King attended segregated schools in Atlanta and graduated from Morehouse College in 1948. He then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and a doctorate from Boston University.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (History's All-Stars)

by James Sturm

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13428 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	209 pages

Martin Luther King Jr. As A Child Martin Luther King Jr (History S All Stars)

The Montgomery Bus Boycott

King's involvement in the civil rights movement began in 1955, when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott was sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks, an African American woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. King led the boycott for over a year, and it eventually led to the desegregation of buses in Montgomery.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference

In 1957, King helped to found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The SCLC was a coalition of African American churches and civil rights organizations. King served as the SCLC's first president, and under his leadership the organization became one of the leading forces in the civil rights movement.

The March on Washington

In 1963, King led the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march was one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in American history, and it helped to put pressure on Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered at the march, is one of the most famous speeches in American history.

The Selma to Montgomery Marches

In 1965, King led the Selma to Montgomery Marches. The marches were a series of protests against voter suppression in Alabama. The marches led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed discrimination in voting.

Assassination

Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was shot and killed by James Earl Ray, a white supremacist. King's assassination sparked riots in cities across the United States. He was posthumously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Martin Luther King Jr. Being Assassinated Martin Luther King Jr (History S All Stars) — Martin Luther King Jr. being assassinated

Legacy

Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most important figures in American history. His leadership and activism helped to achieve major victories for African Americans and made a lasting impact on the United States. King's legacy continues to inspire people around the world.