Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as the central figure of the American civil rights movement in the mid-20th century. His father, Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. (1899-1984), a distinguished religious leader, played a significant role in shaping him into the community champion he is remembered as today. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up attending his father’s sermons at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. When not engaged in church activities, he would recite Bible verses with his siblings, Christine King Ferris (1927-2023) and A.D. King (1904-1974), at their childhood residence on Auburn Avenue. He found pleasure in listening to Bible stories narrated by his maternal grandmother, Jennie Williams (1875-1941), alongside his mother, Alberta King (1904-1974). Guided by Reverend King Sr.’s wise counsel and the nourishing religious environment of his family and community, Martin Luther King Jr. thrived. His exceptional academic achievements included awards for his oratory abilities, performing on stage in the choir, and delivering speeches. He graduated from high school at the age of 15, leading to his immediate acceptance into Morehouse College, the same school his father attended. There, he gained Benjamin E. Mays as a spiritual mentor. After joining the ministry at 18, Martin Luther King Jr. graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1948. He later earned another degree from Crozer Theological Seminary.

Throughout this time, Martin Luther King Jr. experienced countless racial injustices. He and members of his community were treated as second-class citizens, restricted by the segregation system of the South. He witnessed Ku Klux Klan attacks and mob lynchings, which fueled his desire to help his people. He believed that ministry was the best way to make a difference while upholding his religious ideals of peace, love, and respect. At Crozer Theological Seminary, Martin Luther King Jr. studied the teachings of great thinkers like Henry David Thoreau and Gandhi, who promoted a non-violent approach to activism. This philosophy became the cornerstone of his life’s work. His commitment to nonviolent activism and advocacy for racial equality left an indelible mark on the nation. King's leadership in the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom showcased his pivotal role in the fight against racial discrimination. In 1964, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his unwavering dedication to civil rights through nonviolent means, addressing issues beyond race, such as economic inequality and opposition to the Vietnam War.

Tragically, King's life was cut short on April 4, 1968, when he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His death sparked debates on the future of the civil rights movement and led to an outpouring of grief nationwide. The aftermath saw the continuation of King's legacy through the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday in 1986. Coretta Scott King (1927-2006), his widow, played a crucial role in championing his cause. She founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, dedicated to preserving his memory and advancing social justice.

“I would challenge you today to see that his spirit never dies and that we will go forward from this experience, which to me represents the crucifixion—on toward the resurrection and redemption of his spirit. We must carry on…”

— Coretta Scott King, April 8, 1968