On January 15th, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was born marking the beginning of one of the greatest leaders in American history. Martin Luther King Jr. is best known for leading the Civil Rights Movement to end segregation and discrimination in America in the 1950s and 1960s. MLK is a very special individual as he led the civil rights movement not through violence and force but through peaceful, nonviolent demonstrations to achieve the change he wanted in America.
In MLK's early life, he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and became a minister at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. This is where he most likely developed his strong and powerful oratorical style of speaking that we all know and recognize today. Later on, MLK went to study in college and received a bachelors in arts degree before studying theology at a seminary.
On August 28, 1963, MLK recited one of his most famous speeches, "I Have a Dream." In this speech, King speaks about a country where all people have the same opportunities in life. This speech is considered to be one of the greatest speeches in American history and his words in this speech and many other speeches are still quoted today.
"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."
"Now is the time to make
justice a reality for all of God's children."
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."
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| MLK Jr. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize |
This year, Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned 90 years old. Unfortunately, his life was cut short as on April 4, 1968, he was assassinated on the balcony of a motel he was standing on. A great man was taken from us on that day but his wisdom will forever live on. Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 to commemorate his leadership and dedication to end segregation peacefully. He taught us many important lessons that as a country and a society we can never forget. We should take his words of wisdom and use them to create positive change in our world.
Can you write your own "I Have A Dream Speech?" Think about taking your dreams and the lessons you have learned from Martin Luther King Jr. to create the positive changes you want to see in this world.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?"
