As we all know, one of the most influential and spiritual African American leaders was born during the month of January. Yes, I am referring to the one and only Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. King is world renowned for leading the civil rights movement in the United States and advocating nonviolent protest against segregation and racial discrimination. Although his life was ended before his time on April 4, 1968 his legacy lives on within every American regardless of race, color or creed. Here are a few milestones within the life of Dr. King:
1954 Selected as pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama
1955 Received his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Boston University
1955-1956 Led a successful effort to desegregate Montgomery, Alabama, buses
1957 Helped found and served as the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
1958 Published Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story
1963 Wrote 'Letter from Birmingham Jail,' arguing that it was his moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws
1964 Won the Nobel Peace Prize
1965 Organized a mass march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, that created national support for federal voting-rights legislation
1968 Was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee
Quote: 'I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.' August 1963, in a speech to civil rights supporters at the March on Washington.
Did you know: King's nonviolent doctrine was strongly influenced by the teachings of Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi.
In 1964, King became the first black American to be honored as Time magazine's Man of the Year.
King's efforts were not limited to securing civil rights; he also spoke out against poverty and the Vietnam War.
Let’s honor Dr. King by continuing to live the American Dream spreading peace, love and nonviolence to every man, woman and child.
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