Martin Luther King Jr.

by Angela

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the principal leaders of the civil rights movement, an American clergyman, and a Nobel laureate. At the age of 25, Martin became the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. During that time, Martin Luther King, Jr. married Coretta Scott in 1953. During the long struggle for equal rights for blacks, Martin's home was bombed, and many other threats were made against his life. During nonviolent campaigns, Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested several times and thrown into jail. Martin gave the famous "I Have A Dream" speech in 1963 at Washington D.C. A year later, which was 1964, Martin was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 4 years later, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis, Tennessee. So, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. a national holiday in the United States was declared in 1986.