Born: January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia
Man of action and a sculptor of words: arguable the most influential author/orator to emerge from the Civil Rights movement
1963- "I Have a Dream" speech in front of 250,000 people
an oration of historical and literary preeminence
most influential American speech of the 20th century
Son and grandson of African-American ministers: very religious
Became minister himself until Civil Rights Movement became too important
1959- returned to Atlanta and attended boycotts
1958- "Stride Toward Freedom: the Montgomery Story"
First hand account of the early Civil Right movement
1964- Martin Luther King Junior was the youngest person (35 years) to be honored with Nobel Peace Prize
Died: April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee