Martin Luther King Jr.'s life as a civil rights leader began with his pastoral family background and early education. His nonviolent resistance approach, inspired by Gandhi and Jesus, led to significant civil rights advancements, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech during the March on Washington remains a powerful symbol of his legacy.
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Martin Luther King Jr. was born into a family of Baptist ministers who instilled in him a strong sense of social justice and Christian teachings
High School and College
King excelled academically and pursued higher education at Morehouse College, where he was influenced by his father and grandfather's alma mater
Graduate Studies
King deepened his understanding of nonviolent protest and met his future wife while pursuing his doctoral studies at Boston University
King saw the church as a powerful force for social reform and became a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement as a Baptist minister
King's philosophy of nonviolent protest, influenced by Jesus Christ and Mahatma Gandhi, played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement
Montgomery Bus Boycott
King's leadership during the Montgomery Bus Boycott led to the Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional
Civil Rights Act of 1964
King's advocacy was pivotal in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
Voting Rights Act of 1965
King's efforts were instrumental in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to remove barriers preventing African Americans from voting
King's iconic speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 called for a society free from racial discrimination and played a crucial role in raising public consciousness about civil rights
Despite his untimely death, King's legacy continues to inspire generations and his contributions are honored with a federal holiday, memorials, and educational programs
King has been posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, highlighting his enduring impact on the pursuit of equality and justice in the United States
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______ ______ was born on ______ ______, ______, in ______, ______.
Martin Luther King Jr.
January 15
1929
Atlanta
Georgia
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King's father, ______ ______ ______ Sr., was a ______ minister who strongly opposed ______ ______.
Martin Luther King
Baptist
racial segregation
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MLK's early academic advancement
Skipped 9th grade, enrolled in Morehouse College at 15
