5 Interesting Facts About the Legendary Civil Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in his office with his wife, Coretta, in Atlanta, Georgia, [1962]. Herald Examiner Collection

The birthday of civil activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated on the third Monday of January in the United States. Dr. King fought for the civil rights of African-Americans with peaceful demonstrations. It was after his death that there was a movement to make his birthday a holiday. In 1980 Stevie Wonder wrote and sang the song "Happy Birthday" to give attention to this movement. Finally, 15 years after Dr. King's death in 1983, Congress passed the legislation, which was signed into law by the president.

Here are five interesting facts about the legendary civil activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

Michael King Jr. (his original name) was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. At age 5, his father changed his name to Martin Luther in honor of the German theologian of the same name.
Dr. King was very intelligent, which is why he advanced two grades in high school and began his studies at the age of 15 at Morehouse College.
In 1964 he received the Nobel Peace Prize making him one of the youngest people to receive it.
He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, TN. This happened ten years after an attempt on his life in 1958.
More than 900 streets in the United States are named after Martin Luther King Jr.

Thanks to the fight of Martin Luther King Jr., the laws changed to give African Americans and other minority communities more equality.

Why support the Library?

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest most diverse population of any library in the United States.

Through its Central Library and 72 branches, the Los Angeles Public Library provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities.

With more people than ever before using the library—a record 17 million last year alone—your support helps the Library provide people with the resources they need to succeed and thrive.

How to support the Library

You can support the Los Angeles Public Library in several ways:

Join a “Friends” group. There is a “Friends of the Library” group for most branch libraries and departments of the Central Library. Friends groups raise money for improvements to their library through memberships, used book sales and other activities. For more information click here or talk to your local librarian.

Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The Library Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for Library enhancement programs such as adult and early literacy, children and teen reading clubs, technology, and cultural programs. Foundation members receive a variety of benefits with their membership. For more information, see http://www.lfla.org.

Make a donation by check to the Los Angeles Public Library and send it to:
Support the Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles CA 90071 or call (213) 228-7272.

Los Angeles Public Library

5 Interesting Facts About the Legendary Civil Activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Further Reading

Interview With an Author: Genoveva Dimova

Interview With Author David Greenberg

Lo mejor del 2024: los libros preferidos por nuestros lectores y bibliotecarios

Best Books of 2024 as Chosen by the Los Angeles Public Library Staff

Interview With an Author: Michelle Chouinard