Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leader of America’s greatest nonviolent movement for justice, equality, and peace.

He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929.

He did not believe in using violence to solve problems.

In 1954 Martin Luther King received his PhD. and was then called Dr. King.

He gave a famous speech, “I have a dream” in Washington, D.C. "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal." Martin Luther King, Jr

He believed that people should not be judged by the color of their skin, but by their character.

Dr. King received several hundred awards for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement.

He won the Nobel peace prize in 1964 when he was 35 years old. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement.

He was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "I'd like somebody to mention that Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others.”

The third Monday in January has been declared a national holiday in order to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and dreams.