Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali Hailey Mandelko Mrs. Herrmann World History Honors Semester Presentation

The Two Heros Biographies -Martin Luther King Jr. -Muhammad Ali Similarities Differences Greater Impact

Martin Luther King Jr.

Childhood Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. His birth names was actually Michael. His father changed it when the took a trip to Europe.

Childhood Martin was the middle child of three He has an older sister, Willie, and a younger brother, Alfred. His father was a reverend.

Schooling He attended Booker T. Washington High School. He skipped ninth and twelfth grade. He entered Morehouse College at the age of 15. He go his bachelors degree is Sociology and received his Doctor of Philosophy.

Marriage King married Coretta Scott in 1953 He was 24 Had 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys

Work Became a Priest and wrote and spoke. Youngest recipient of the Noble Peace Prize Gave to him because he lead the non-violent resistance to end racial prejudice in the U.S.

Montgomery Bus Boycott Lead by King which lasted for 385 days King was arrested during this time and his house was even bombed. Ended in court ruling that ended racial segregation.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference Was elected president of the committee In 11 year period, King traveled over 6 million miles including to Gandhi. He appeared wherever there was injustice, a protest, or a need or an action.

March on Washington Led by King with 250,000 people who followed and listened to his speech. This is where he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. This is one of the most famous speeches in American History.

Visits/Jail King visit India many times to learn from Gandhi. He learned to love his enemies and nonviolence as well as civil disobedience. This led to his ideas of peaceful protests. He was jailed during this times for his protests. He wrote many speeches and a book as well when he was there.

Leader King was looked up to by many black people for his help in the leading of the Civil Rights Movement. He was also looked at as the man that the people that did not agree with could target.

Death King was assassinated in Memphis during a visit to support striking black garbage collectors. He was shot on the balcony of the motel, Lorraine Motel. He was shot and killed by a man named James Earl Ray.

Accomplishments King received a Nobel Peace Prize. He was the main leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He was a social reformer as well as the starter of the SCLC.

Muhammad Ali

Childhood Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born with the name Cassius Clay. He was an only child.

Childhood He lived with his mother and father and stayed in Kentucky throughout his childhood. His father was a mural painter and his mother stayed at home.

Growing up When Ali was 12, his bike was stolen and told the police officer that he was going to beat the kid up who did it. The police officer led him to Stoner who was a boxing trainer and was trying to train his aggression.

Training Stoner found himself training Ali to be a boxer. Over the next 6 years, Ali won 6 Kentucky Golden Glove Championships and many other championships.

Olympics Once he started, he was winning championships and tournaments and won his spot on the U.S. Boxing team. Traveled to Rome and Italy and won a gold medal. His treat was his footwork and power.

Professional Ali was a threat to be reckoned with in his first professional fight. He won all his bouts and beat Henry Cooper and Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world.

The Greatest Was referred to as The Greatest and was no scared to show it. He was the one who boasted and praised himself about his skills. His most common quote was “Fly like a butterfly, Sting like a bee.”

Marriage Ali has been married 4 times. Along with his four marriages, he has 9 children. One of his daughters even stepped into his shoes and became a professional boxer.

Nation of Islam/Military He decided to become a part of the Nation of Islam. This is where he changed his name. When he was drafted to the war, he declined because of his beliefs. He was jailed and tried but was released but still stripped of his boxing title and suspended from the sport for about 3 years.

Three Main Fights Fight of the Century, Thrilla in Manilla, and Rumble in the Jungle. One was against Joe Frazier where he was beat. The next against George Foreman where he came in the underdog but came out with the win. And the last against Joe Frazier. This was believed to be Ali’s toughest fight which he won in 14 rounds.

Retirement When Ali started to lose his fights he decided to retire. He lost the heavyweight title on his last fight retiring the next day. He was than later diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which he still fights today.

Accomplishments Ali is known as one of the best boxers in the world. He won tons of Championships as well as heavyweight titles. He also won the gold medal at his first Olympics. He will also be known for his quick footwork and powerful jab.

Comparison

Similarities Both grew up in great families. Both got in trouble with people and wanted to get back at them in some way. Both were very charitable and generous. Both are looked up to today as he role models in our society. Both are remembered as the best at what they did.

Differences King was trying to find peace while Ali was fighting with others. King never boasted himself, rather others, while Ali couldn’t get enough of himself. King was shot and killed, while Ali is still alive but has a disease.

Greater Impact Martin Luther King Jr. had the greater impact. King changed the world that we live in today. He brought peace to the different races. The communities we live in now and how we treat the people around us has a lot to do with what he did.

References "Muhammad Ali." Biography.com. 2 May 2010, 11: “Muhammad Ali." Infoplease. 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 02 May "Martin Luther King, Jr.." Infoplease. 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 02 May "Martin Luther King Jr.." Biography.com. 2 May 2010, 11:40