New Delhi: Every year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed in the United States. It is a federal holiday in the US and is observed on the third Monday of January each year. It was observed for the first time on January 20, 1986. Notably, Martin Luther King Jr., born on January 15, 1929, was one of the foremost leaders of nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement which protested racial discrimination in the US society and it resulted in many groundbreaking legislative reforms in the country. In this article, we will take a look at some of the lesser-known facts of Martin Luther King Jr.
Lesser-known facts about Martin Luther King Jr
The change of name
Martin Luther King Jr was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta in the US to African American parents. His birth name was Michael King, but later, his father renamed him Martin Luther King Jr.
The racism in the US
During the growing up years of Martin Luther King, the African Americans had to face severe discrimination. In the Southern US, the black and white people were kept separated. There were different schools, toilets and even bus sections for the Black people who were not allowed to mix with the white people. Also, they did not have right to vote in elections.
Not allowed to play with white friend
In his childhood, Martin became friends with a white boy. In September 1935, they started to go to different schools, with a for black children for King while his friend went to a separate school which was only for white children. Soon afterwards, the white boy’s parents told Martin that he could not play with their son since he was ‘colored’. That incident had a profound impact on him.
The ‘angriest’ night of his life
On April 13, 1944, in his junior year, King gave his first public speech during an oratorical contest and he became the winner. While coming home to Atlanta by bus, the driver ordered him and his teacher to stand up so that white passengers could sit. The driver insulted King and was compelled to stand after his teacher requested. He had to stand for the rest of way to Atlanta and he later said that he remembered the night throughout his life, and King was never angrier than he was that night.
First major role in Civil Rights Movement
In 1955, King played his first crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement after Rosa Parks, an African American lady was arrested since she refused to give up her seat on a bus for a white man. A protest erupted and Martin organised a boycott of the city’s buses. The protest went on for 381 days following the court ruled that such segregation laws should not be recognised anymore.
A believer in peaceful protest
Martin ardently believed in peaceful protest. Mahatma Gandhi inspired him and Martin’s protests used the tactics of no-violence, even when the police inflicted violence on the protesters.
I Have a Dream
In 1963, at a rally named ‘March on Washington’, Martin gave his famous speech “I Have a Dream”. The speech was heard by more than 250,000 people who wanted to listen about the importance of civil rights. It is one of the most famous speeches in history. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed and it banned discrimination and racial segregation in the US.
Winner of Nobel Prize
Martin won the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1964 and he got the news over the phone while he was in bed suffering from exhaustion. He became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner and it was awarded to him for leading nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice in the US.
This article explores lesser-known aspects of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, from his original name, Michael King, to the profound impact of early racial discrimination on his childhood. It details his pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting his commitment to nonviolent protest, and his Nobel Peace Prize win. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
