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Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prominent civil rights leader and activist.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a key figure in the American civil rights movement, advocating for racial equality through nonviolent resistance. He led marches, boycotts, and protests, and delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. His assassination in 1968 sparked national mourning and riots.

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Martin LutherMalcolm XFrederick DouglassNelson MandelaAbraham LincolnMahatma GandhiJohn F. KennedyHarlem RenaissanceReformationAmerican Civil War

Timeline

1398
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute is dedicated to the study and advancement of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is an important center for research and education on civil rights and social justice.
1929-01-15
Birth of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and became a prominent leader in the civil rights movement, advocating for nonviolent resistance and equality for all.
1946-08-06
Publication of King's Letter to the Editor
The Atlanta Constitution publishes King’s letter to the editor expressing that black people are entitled to the basic rights and opportunities of American citizens.
1948-02-25
Ordination to the Baptist Ministry
On February 25, 1948, at the age of 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. was ordained to the Baptist ministry.
1948-06-08
King's Graduation from Morehouse College
King receives his bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Morehouse College.
1948-09-14
King's Enrollment at Crozer Theological Seminary
King begins his studies at Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania.
1951-05-06
King's Graduation from Crozer Theological Seminary
King graduates from Crozer Theological Seminary with a bachelor of divinity degree, delivering the valedictory address at commencement.
1955-06-05
Receives Doctorate of Philosophy
On June 5, 1955, Martin Luther King, Jr. received a Doctorate of Philosophy in Systematic Theology from Boston University, with a dissertation titled 'A Comparison of the Conception of God in the Thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Weiman'.
1955-12-01
Montgomery Bus Boycott Begins
On December 1, 1955, Martin Luther King, Jr. emerged as a prominent leader during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement.
1955-12-05
Elected President of the Montgomery Improvement Association
On December 5, 1955, Martin Luther King, Jr. was elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, becoming the official spokesperson for the bus boycott after Rosa Parks was arrested on December 1.
1956-01-30
Bombing of King's home
On January 30, 1956, King's home was bombed while he was speaking at a mass meeting, but his wife and daughter remained unharmed. King's subsequent address to the gathered crowd emphasized the importance of nonviolence, showcasing his unwavering commitment to peaceful activism.
1957-01-10
King Named Chairman of the Southern Negro Leaders Conference
Southern black ministers meet in Atlanta to share strategies in the fight against segregation, and King is named chairman of the Southern Negro Leaders Conference on Transportation and Nonviolent Integration, later known as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
1957-01-30
Martin Luther King, Jr. Establishes SCLC
On January 30, 1957, Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders established the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to coordinate and support nonviolent protests and civil rights efforts.
1957-03-06
King Attends Independence Celebrations of Ghana
King attends the independence celebrations of the new nation of Ghana in West Africa and meets with Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah.
1957-05-17
King Delivers 'Give Us The Ballot' Address
At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., King delivers his first national address, 'Give Us The Ballot,' at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom.
1958-06-23
Civil Rights Leaders Meet with President Dwight D. Eisenhower
King and other civil rights leaders meet with President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington.
1958-09-17
Publication of 'Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story'
King's first book, 'Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story,' is published.
1958-09-20
Martin Luther King, Jr. stabbed in Harlem
During a book signing at Blumstein’s Department Store in Harlem, New York, King is stabbed by Izola Ware Curry. He is rushed to Harlem Hospital, where a team of doctors successfully remove a seven-inch letter opener from his chest.
1960-10-19
King arrested during sit-in demonstration at Rich’s department store
King is arrested during a sit-in demonstration at Rich’s department store in Atlanta. He is sentenced to four months of hard labor for violating probation conditions he had received earlier that year for driving with an out-of-state driver’s license. He is released on $2000 bond on 27 October.
1963-04-12
Arrest of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ralph Abernathy in Birmingham
On Good Friday, April 12, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ralph Abernathy are arrested by Police Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor for demonstrating without a permit, highlighting the continued resistance to the civil rights movement.
1963-04-16
Letter from Birmingham Jail
King writes an open letter from the Birmingham jail, explaining his philosophy of nonviolence and why he would continue to protest after participating in a campaign in Birmingham to end segregation.
1963-05-03
Birmingham Campaign and 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'
In May 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' while leading the Birmingham Campaign, advocating for nonviolent protest against racial segregation.
1963-05-07
Conflict in Birmingham Reaches Its Peak
The conflict in Birmingham reaches its peak when high-pressure fire hoses force demonstrators from the business district. Police Commissioner Eugene 'Bull' Connor employs aggressive tactics to disperse the demonstrators.
1963-08-28
March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This event is considered a landmark moment in the civil rights movement.
1964-01-03
Time Magazine's 'Man of the Year'
Martin Luther King is named 'Man of the Year' by Time Magazine.
1964-01-18
Meeting with President Lyndon B. Johnson
President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Martin Luther King, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and James Farmer to seek support for his War on Poverty initiative.
1964-07-02
King attends the signing ceremony of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Dr. King attends the signing ceremony of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the White House on July 2.
1964-10-14
Nobel Prize for Peace
King is announced as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace.
1964-12-10
Nobel Peace Prize
Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice in America.
1965-02-02
King arrested in Selma, Alabama
On February 2, Dr. King is arrested in Selma, Alabama during a voting rights demonstration.
1965-03-21
Selma to Montgomery March
King leads the historic Selma March as part of an effort to register Black voters in Alabama, which directly leads to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1966-01-22
King moves into a Chicago slum tenement
On January 22, Dr. King moves into a Chicago slum tenement to attract attention to the living condition of the poor.
1968-03-28
King leads march in Memphis
Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a march of six thousand protesters in support of striking sanitation workers in Memphis. The march turns violent and King is rushed from the scene.
1968-04
Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., is assassinated in April 1968.
1968-04-03
King delivers 'I've Been to the Mountaintop' speech
During an evening rally at Mason Temple in Memphis, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his final speech, 'I've Been to the Mountaintop.'
1968-04-04
Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
King is shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting a strike by sanitation workers.
1968-04-09
Burial of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is buried in Atlanta.
1983
Establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
The U.S. Congress establishes Martin Luther King, Jr., Day as a national holiday to be celebrated annually on the third Monday in January.
1986-01-20
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Established
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the United States, was established on the third Monday of January to honor the civil rights leader's contributions to equality and justice.
1986-11-02
National Holiday Proclaimed in King's Honor
On November 2, a national holiday is proclaimed in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. This recognition reflects the significance of King's contributions and impact on American society.
2011-10-16
Dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, located in Washington D.C., was dedicated on October 16, 2011, to honor the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader.
End of the Timeline
Martin Luther King, Jr.

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