Civil Rights Leaders: Martin Luther King Jr.

By Biography.com Editors and A+E Networks, adapted by Newsela staff on 08.23.16

Word Count 595
Level 800L

Martin Luther King Jr. Wikimedia Commons

Synopsis: Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a
Christian minister and civil rights activist. He fought for the equal treatment of African-Americans
in the South. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. King was killed in April 1968. He is
remembered as one of the greatest African-American leaders in history.

Early Years, Education And Spiritual Growth

King was born on January 15, 1929, and was originally named Michael King Jr. His parents were
Michael King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. King and his siblings grew up in a secure and loving
family.

King entered school at age 5. He skipped two grades in high school. He started college in 1944,
when he was 15 years old. King was a popular student but unmotivated and not serious about
school.

In 1948, Martin Luther King Jr. attended the Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester,
Pennsylvania. He graduated first in his class in 1951 and was elected student body president.

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While working on his doctorate, King met Coretta Scott, a singer and musician. They were married
in June 1953 and had four children. In 1954, King became the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist
Church of Montgomery, Alabama.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

On December 1,1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus to go home from work. In the South, public
transportation was segregated, meaning that blacks and whites had to sit in separate sections.
When white passengers boarded, the bus driver demanded that Parks and several other African-
Americans give up their seats. Three other African-American passengers moved. Parks remained
seated. The driver asked her again to give up her seat and again she refused. She was arrested and
taken to jail.

Led by King, the African-American community boycotted Montgomery and refused to ride the
bus. For more than 380 days, African-Americans in Montgomery walked to work and were
threatened and harassed. In early 1957, the city of Montgomery gave in and ended segregation on
public buses.

"I Have A Dream"

Through the late 1950s and early 1960s, King led protests and marches against all kinds of
segregation. In the spring of 1963, he organized a protest in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. It
turned violent. Police came at the protestors with dogs and sprayed them with fire hoses. King and
many others were arrested. From his jail cell, King explained that nonviolent protest is meant to
cause a crisis. It forces people to face their problems and deal with them.

On August 28, 1963, King's huge demonstration at the nation's capital drew more than 200,000
people. It would be called the March on Washington. There King made his famous "I Have a
Dream" speech. He spoke about his belief that someday all men could treat each other like
brothers, regardless of race.

King's actions hugely influenced Americans' opinions. All over the country people began
questioning the unfair treatment of African-American citizens. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act
outlawing discrimination in public places was passed. That same year, Martin Luther King
received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Death And Legacy

In 1968, King was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee. His death caused riots across the
country. In 1969, his killer, James Earl Ray, was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Martin Luther King Jr. changed how African-Americans were treated in America. He is the best
known African-American leader of his time. He was honored with a national holiday. Many
schools and public buildings have been named after him. King was deeply committed to social
justice and change through peaceful protest.

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Quiz

1 Which sentence from the article BEST represents one of the article's main ideas?

(A) For more than 380 days, African-Americans in Montgomery walked to work and were threatened and
harassed.

(B) King spoke about his belief that someday all men could treat each other like brothers, regardless of
race.

(C) In 1964, the Civil Rights Act outlawing discrimination in public places was passed.

(D) King changed how African-Americans were treated in America.

2 Which detail from the article would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article?

(A) He graduated first in his class in 1951 and was elected student body president.

(B) In early 1957, the city of Montgomery gave in and ended segregation on public buses.

(C) From his jail cell, King explained that nonviolent protest is meant to cause a crisis.

(D) In 1969, his killer, James Earl Ray, was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

3 Which option BEST reflects King's ideas?

(A) King spoke about equality among people of all races.

(B) King organized many marches, protests and demonstrations throughout his life.

(C) King was arrested and spent time in jail in Birmingham due to his participation in a protest there.

(D) King led the Montgomery bus boycott in which African-Americans refused to ride the city's buses.

4 With which of the following statements would King most likely AGREE?

(A) Fighting for a cause is not worth going to jail.

(B) The best way to create change is with nonviolent actions.

(C) Sometimes violence is necessary to improve a situation.

(D) Discussing ideas is not an effective way to influence people.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.