Martin Luther attended segregated public schools in Georgia; Martin graduated from high school at the age of fifteen. Continuing his studies at Morehouse college, a highly respected Negro college where both his grandfather and father had attended, Martin was fortunate enough to later receive the B. A. degree in 1948. After three years of religeous study at the Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania he was elected president of a mainly white senior class. Martin then enrolled for graduate studies at Boston University, completing to recieve the doctorate in 1953 and receiving the degree in 1955.
While in Boston Martin met Coretta Scott who he later married having two sons and two daughters together. In 1954 Martin was offered the role of being pastor at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, which he accepted.
Martin who was always a strong supporter for civil rights, became a member of the executive committee of the 'National Association for the Advancement of Colored People', the leading organization of its kind in the nation.
Martin who was always a strong supporter for civil rights, became a member of the executive committee of the 'National Association for the Advancement of Colored People', the leading organization of its kind in the nation.
Martin as a young man was influenced by various people including a Civil rights leader Howard Thurman who was a classmate of Martins father at Morehouse College. Howard Thurman did a lot of missionary work which introduced Martin to Mohandas Gannhi. When Martin was a student at Boston University, he would often visit Howard, who at the time was principal of Marsh Chapel; Walter Fluker, a man who studied Howard Thurmans writings, said
"I don't believe you'd get a Martin Luther King, Jr. without a Howard Thurman".
Martin visited Mohandas Gandhi another inspiration to his life in 1959. The trip to India made a huge impact on Martins life, leading him to understand non-violent resistance and strengthening his commitment to America’s struggle for civil rights. Martin commented in a radio interview
Martin visited Mohandas Gandhi another inspiration to his life in 1959. The trip to India made a huge impact on Martins life, leading him to understand non-violent resistance and strengthening his commitment to America’s struggle for civil rights. Martin commented in a radio interview
"“Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity. In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation.”"
Martin was hugely impacted by Jesus, Martin from a young boy was very aware of Jesus, especially growing up in such a religieous family.
Martin left many legacies for future generations to see, and learn from which include;Martins participation in the civil rights movement while also being criticized by many groups including an opposition from the Nation of Islam member Malcolm X who was a strong believer in violence and force.A sidewalk plaque in downtown Washington, honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
A statue of Martin located in Ingram Park, Alabama.
Coretta Scott King, Martins wife, followed in Martins footsteps and was very aware in the matters of social justice and civil rights until her death in 2006. Coretta established the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to keeping his legacy and work on non-violent conflict resolution and tolerance worldwide.
The name 'Martin Luther King Jr' has often been used since his death as people have issues even amonst the King family, e.g. Would Martin support gay rights? Coretta said that she believed her husband would have supported gay rights, yet his daughter Bernice believed he would have been against it.
Martin Luther Kings first major achievement was when he helped take control in the black boycott in the Montgomery bus system in early 1955. This was organised after a black woman named Rosa Parks, refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white man. In the segregated south, black people were only allowed to sit at the back of the bus. The bus boycott which lasted for 382 days forced the bus company to change its regulations.In 1963, Martin led mass protests against discrimination in Birmingham, Alabama, where the white population were violently hoping for a non-segregated community. The city was later said to be named 'Bombingham' as attacks against civil rights protesters increased, and Martin was arrested and jailed for his part in the protests. After being released, Martin participated in the huge civil rights march in Washington, sometime in August 1963. This is where Martin delivered his famous 'I have a dream' speech
{Link to speech:(http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html)}, where he saw a day when the promise of freedom and equality for all would become a real in America.
On March 29th 1968, Martin travelled to Memphis Tennessee to support the black sanitary public work employees.
On April 3rd, Martin addressed a 'rally' and delivered a speech at Mason Temple, the World Headquarters for the Church of God in Christ. MartinsKing's flight to Memphis had been delayed by a bomb threat on his plane. In the closing of Martins last speech for his career, in relation to the bomb threat, Martin said
On April 3rd, Martin addressed a 'rally' and delivered a speech at Mason Temple, the World Headquarters for the Church of God in Christ. MartinsKing's flight to Memphis had been delayed by a bomb threat on his plane. In the closing of Martins last speech for his career, in relation to the bomb threat, Martin said
"And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."
King was arranged to stay in room 306 at the Lorraine Motel, owned by Walter Bailey, a small town in Memphis. While Martin was standing on the motel's second floor balcony, at 6:01 April 4th 1968 Martin was shot. The bullet peirced through his right cheek smashing his jaw and then traveling down his spinal cord before stopping at his shoulder
After emergency surgery, Martin Luther King Jr was announced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital at 7:05 p.m. The assassination led to a nationwide wave of riots in more than 100 cities.
By Josh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/king_martin_luther.shtml
