Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Biography

Born on January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King was one of the chief leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement. It was King and his policy of non-violent protests and civil disobedience that was the dominant force in the civil rights movement during the decade of great achievements from 1957 to 1968.

Martin Luther King Day

The birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on 15th January is celebrated as a national holiday each year with great respect and admiration for the civil rights movement leader appreciating his efforts to rule out racial discrimination and non-violence. Martin Luther King Day was established as a national holiday all over the United States in 1986.

Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination

Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. He was shot by James Earl Ray while he was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee while he was on his tour of the city. He was only 39 when he died.

Martin Luther King Civil Rights Movement

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent his life in a constant struggle to change the racial conditions in America and to win equal protection and rights under the law for all the citizens regardless of their color and race. It might be very surprising to know for some that less than 40 years ago, there were separate drinking fountains for whites and black and the blacks and whites could not sit on the same seat in a bus in America.

Martin Luther King Awards and Nobel Peace Prize

In recognition of his services and efforts for brining an end to racial discrimination and equality, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in1964. Along with this, the American Jewish Committee also presented King with the American Liberties Medallion for his "exceptional advancement of the principles of human liberty."