Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Key Dates
Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader, was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was originally named Michael King Jr., but his name changed to honor the Protestant reformer Martin Luther during a family trip to Germany. MLK tragically died on April 4, 1968, assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee at age 39.

Birth and Early Life

Born into a middle-class family, MLK was the son of Baptist minister Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Growing up in Atlanta during segregation, young MLK faced racial injustice early—like being denied service at a shoe store despite money in hand—which fueled his lifelong fight for equality. By age 15, he skipped two grades to enter Morehouse College, showing his brilliance amid adversity.

Death and Assassination Details

MLK was killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel while supporting striking sanitation workers. James Earl Ray was convicted, though conspiracy theories persist about broader involvement. His death sparked riots nationwide, underscoring the raw tensions of the era.

Legacy and Observance

Today, the third Monday in January honors MLK as a federal holiday since 1986, marked by service and reflection. In 2026, amid ongoing equality debates, his nonviolent philosophy—from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to "I Have a Dream"—remains vital, as noted in recent tributes. Daughter Bernice King recently called his unity message "prophetic" for our divided times.

Milestone| Date| Significance 19
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Birth| Jan 15, 1929| Atlanta, GA; start of a transformative life
"I Have a Dream" Speech| Aug 28, 1963| March on Washington; iconic call for justice
Nobel Peace Prize| 1964| Global nod to nonviolence
Assassination| Apr 4, 1968| Memphis, TN; end of an era, spark for change
Holiday Established| 1986| Annual U.S. federal observance

TL;DR: MLK lived from January 15, 1929, to April 4, 1968 —a pivotal figure whose nonviolent crusade reshaped America.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.