Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. An African-American church leader and the son of early civil rights activist and minister Martin Luther King Sr., King advanced civil rights for people of color in the United States through nonviolence and civil disobedience, inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi.

• King was born Michael Luther King Jr., on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. His father was a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, and King's early education was shaped by the church and his parents' commitment to social justice. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Morehouse College in 1948, a bachelor of divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951, and a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Boston University in 1955.
• In 1954, King became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. The following year, he became a leader in the Montgomery bus boycott, which was sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat to a white man. The boycott lasted for 381 days and ended with the desegregation of the Montgomery bus system.
• King's success in Montgomery made him a national figure, and he soon became the most prominent leader in the civil rights movement. He helped to organize and lead numerous nonviolent protests against segregation and discrimination, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
• In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent campaign against racism. He continued to work for civil rights until his assassination on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
• King's legacy is immense. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in American history, and his work helped to bring about significant progress in the fight for civil rights. His teachings of nonviolence and love continue to inspire people around the world.

Some of King's most notable contributions to the civil rights movement include:

• Leading the Montgomery bus boycott, which ended segregation on the city's buses.
• Helping to organize and lead the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
• Co-founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a major civil rights organization.
• Leading the Birmingham campaign, which resulted in the desegregation of public facilities in the city.
• Marching with civil rights leaders in Selma, Alabama, to demand voting rights for African Americans.

King's work was not without its challenges. He was arrested and jailed numerous times, and he faced threats of violence and death. But he remained committed to his principles of nonviolence and love.

King's assassination was a devastating blow to the civil rights movement, but his legacy continues to inspire people around the world. His teachings of nonviolence and love are more important than ever in today's world.

In addition to his work on civil rights, King was also a vocal advocate for peace and social justice. He spoke out against the Vietnam War and poverty, and he challenged Americans to create a more just and equitable society.

King's life and work were dedicated to fighting for justice and equality for all people. He was a true leader of the civil rights movement, and his legacy continues to inspire people around the world to work for a better future.