Take notes on the brave career moves of the most important Civil Rights leader in black history.
Born 84 years ago into the harsh, segregated realities of the South, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quickly became known as the face of the Civil Rights Movement. His lifetime of service where he fought tirelessly to bring justice to America through non-violent protests, boycotts and marches is forever engrained in the history books of our country.
Below are some of Dr. King’s greatest career moments that highlight why his legacy lives on today.
Dexter Avenue Baptist Church: In 1954 at the young age of 25, Dr. King became the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.
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Montgomery Bus Boycott: Beginning on December 1, 1955, the same day Rosa Parks was arrested, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. During the duration of the boycott, which lasted a little over a year, Dr. King was arrested, his home was bombed and he was subjected to personal abuse and threats, but his determination for justice led him to continue fighting and on December 20, 1956 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregation on public buses unconstitutional.
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Southern Christian Leadership Conference: Dr. King served as the first president of SCLC in 1957 and under his direction the organization peacefully helped coordinate mass protest campaigns, voter registration drives and fought for economic equality amongst Blacks.
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March on Washington: In 1963, Dr. King helped to lead over 200,000 people down Constitution and Independence Avenue to the grounds of the Lincoln Monument for a peaceful
demonstration that fought for the Civil Rights of African Americans. It was here where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream†speech that outlined the urgency for a more just nation where all men are created equal.Read more about this here
Nobel Peace Prize: In 1964, Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dynamic leadership and nonviolent approach to Civil Rights, stating in his speech “I conclude that this award which I receive on behalf of that movement is a profound recognition that nonviolence is the
answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time.†At the age of 35, he was the youngest man to have received this award and used his prize money to further the efforts of the Civil Rights Movement.Read more about this here
Time Magazine’s Man of the Year: In 1963, Time magazine recognized the efforts of Dr. King as a fearless leader who fought to bring equality to America and named him their Man of the Year.
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