-
MLK is born
On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of a Baptist minister. -
Racial segregation unconstitutional
Supreme Court rules racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks is arrested on Montgomery bus, Martin Luther King leads protests involving her, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott begins. -
Bus segregation unconstitutional
Supreme Court rules bus segregation unconstitutional. -
Letter from Birmingham Jail
Martin Luther King writes a letter where says that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws and to take direct action rather than waiting potentially forever for justice to come through the courts. It's a classic example of civil desobidience. -
I have a dream
Martin Luther King deliveres his famous speech "I have a dream" at the Lincoln Memorial to 250,000 people during the March on Washington. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964 signed
After he numerous fights from Martin Luther King, the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were signed. -
His final speech
"I've Been to the Mountaintop" is the popular name of the final speech that Martin Luther King did at the at the Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters) in Memphis, Tennessee. -
MLK dies
Martin Luther King Jr., an American civil rights activist, was fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, at 6:01 p.m. CST. He was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m at age 39. -
MLK birthday declared a federal holiday
President Ronald Reagan declared January 15th as a federal holiday i honor to Martin Luther King.