By Mr. Zindman

Martin Luther King

• Martin Luther King was born on January 15th 1929 at his family home in Atlanta Georgia. Martin had a brother, Alfred, and a sister, Christine.

Martin’s Family

Both his father and grandfather were ministers. His mother was a school teacher who taught him how to read before he went to school. Martin’s Dad, Martin

Luther King, Sr.

School Young Martin was an

excellent student in school; he skipped grades in both elementary school and high school. He enjoyed reading books, singing, riding a bicycle, and playing football and baseball. Martin went to Morehouse College at a young age.

Morehouse College

Martin’s Beliefs Martin experienced

racism early in life. In 1935, when he was only 6, he was told that he could not play with his friends because he was black. He decided to do something to make the world a better place. Martin believed he could help change the world into a better place.

Martin’s Beliefs At the seminary King became acquainted with

Mohandas Gandhi’s belief of non-violent social protest. After visiting India in 1959, and meeting followers of Gandhi, he became convinced that non-violent protest was the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott Martin Luther King graduated from Morehouse

College in Atlanta and became the Pastor of a Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. In this town Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person. It was here that he led a black bus boycott. He and ninety others were arrested. King’s successful boycott led to his national reputation in support of civil rights.

Rosa Parks

Martin was arrested

Inspiration Dr King inspired a growing national civil rights

movement. He wanted to ensure that all people were treated fairly. He wanted to see an end to segregation in every aspect of public life. He wanted equality in stores, no separate bathrooms and drinking fountains and no job discrimination.

Selma, Alabama

After peaceful civil rights activists were attacked in Selma, Alabama, Martin aided in their next march.

Nobel Peace Prize

In 1964 Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which was a great honor.

The Dream

Dr King led a march to Washington on August 28, 1963 and gave a speech. It has since been called the I Have a Dream Speech. In the speech he spoke of his dream of equality and fair treatment for all American people.

Assassination

Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. He was shot by James Earl Ray while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. He was only 39 years old at the time.

Martin was shot

Martin’s funeral

Martin’s tombstone

On January 15th we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream with a holiday. What is your dream for the world?

Martin Luther King Day

Click on the picture to learn the history of the holiday.