Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Timeline

A Leader Is Born

Jan 15, 1929

January 15, 1929 Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King and living with his older sister Christine King Farris and younger brother A. D. King.

Graduation Status

Jun 8, 1948

Martin Luther King Jr. graduates from Morehouse College with a bachelor's degree in sociology at the age of 19. Though this doesn't have to do with leadership experiences, but his sociology degree really helped out with communication and his understanding of human beings which helps with leading his people.

Early Leadership Recognition

Dec 1, 1954

A 25 year old Martin Luther King Jr. shows early leadership skills by leading Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Which will later help him with his Democratic leadership skills. It also helped with his effectiveness as a leader because he is a very calm person which was also a strength of King's whenever protesting.

The First Step of Action

Dec 5, 1955

Shortly after the Rosa Park arrest, Martin Luther King Jr. took his first step of action by helping and becoming president of the Montgomery Improvement Association which was held at the basement of Holt Street Baptist Church to help organize a meeting for African Americans to get there opinions out since that wasn't aloud for from black citizen at the time. Though this soon led to the famous Montgomery Boycott which caused this next event.

The King Bombing

Jan 30, 1956

Early in 1956 Martins Luther King Jr.'s house was bombed by a group of segregationist because of the positive results of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Though his daughter and wife were unharmed from the situation. This shows his persistent work ethic throughout his career and never letting negative thoughts threw his head.

The First of Many to Come

May 17, 1957

King delivers his first national speech, “Give Us the Ballot,” at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. This shows aspiration and inspiration in his field of work which good leaders must possess.

Serving Time?

Oct 19, 1960

Martin Luther King Jr. is arrested at a sit-in demonstration at an Atlanta department store, but let out on a 2,000 dollar bond. This shows that no matter the event uncivilized actions will never come out from the peaceful man that King was.

Serving Time Part 2

Dec 16, 1961

No was never an answer for King when it came to segregation, so on December 16, 1961 he led a group with hundreds of African Americans to form a desegregation campaign in Albany, Georgia. This is really when dedication struck into King's mind and perseverance is the only thing that is holding him from his goal.

Serving Time Part 3

Jul 27, 1962

King is arrested for the third time at a prayer vigil in Albany. Though he leaves on Aug. 10, spending only two weeks in this arrest. Now that perseverance has struck King he is ready to move on with his fight. Which is another key for leaders is that once mistakes are made they have to be able to put them in past.

Serving Time Part 4

Apr 16, 1963

King is sent to jail once again for ignoring the Alabama state court injunction against demonstrations. Though during his cell time he writes his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. This helped him stay in it when he didn't have to because he didn't have to be the ones leading these walks or demonstrations though he decided to take matters into his own hands for the sake of his culture. Which is what all leaders need, to be able to take charge and fault for the team.

I Have a Dream

Aug 28, 1963

Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his notorious "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial where he says the famous line “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” He also led more than 200,000 demonstrators on the March of Washington for freedom and equality in the work place showing his integrity and his will to sustain a goal for the future of this country.

Serving Time Part 5

Jun 11, 1964

King along with 17 other African Americans are arrested for trespassing for demanding service at a whites only diner showing he will not show mercy until goals are reached and won't make a petty excuse for the lack of equality in America.

Recognition

Dec 10, 1964

Martin Luther King Jr. wins the Nobel Piece Prize for his integrity and dedication of ending segregation. Though he doesn't let that go to his head and keeps his mind on his goal, which all leaders need to be able to do is stay focus on the task and complete it with team success and recognition.

The March of Equality

Mar 23, 1968

King leads a group of civil rights protesters from Selma to Montgomery hinting that he will not give up and that the peaceful protest will always be the right action over violence.

The Memphis Walk

Mar 23, 1968

Martin Luther King Jr. walks with over 6,000 protesters in support of striking sanitation workers in Memphis. Though unfortunately the march ends with violence and looting of the protesters. Though King clearly sates that he will fight for his people to the day he dies, which unfortunately was a lot sooner than he thought.

Death

Apr 4, 1968

King, standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, is shot and killed, and later buried in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.
Leaving his message across the world in a peaceful and yet tragic way now known as the King of equality for his strong contribution of racial equality. Though later his goal is achieved though having to look down to see it be accomplished by others.