Martin Luther King Facts For Kids
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Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most important figures in the history of America. He is recognized as a leader, an activist, and a spokesperson for the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Here are some fun and fascinating facts about Martin Luther King Jr. that kids should know.
1. King’s original name was Michael King Jr. He was named after his father who changed his name to Martin Luther King Sr. and then changed his son’s name as well.
2. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia.
3. King skipped two grades in high school and entered Morehouse College in Atlanta when he was just 15 years old.
4. In 1953, Martin Luther King Jr. married Coretta Scott. They had four children together – two sons and two daughters.
5. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and his religion guided much of his work in civil rights.
6. He was the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which he was awarded in 1964.
7. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” was delivered on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington.
8. The Civil Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964, was a significant accomplishment of Martin Luther King Jr. in his fight for racial equality.
9. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
10. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday of January every year, in honor of his birthday.
These facts about Martin Luther King Jr. are just a few of the many reasons why he is remembered and respected as one of the greatest leaders in American history. He worked tirelessly to promote civil rights and to bring about a more just and equal society for all people, and his legacy continues to inspire us today.