6 things you didn't know about Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement, working tirelessly to promote equality and justice for all.
While his speeches, leadership, and role in the advancement of civil rights are well-known, there are aspects of his life that may not be as familiar.
Here are some lesser-known facts about Dr. King's life that help paint a more complete picture of this influential leader.
1. His birth name was Michael, not Martin
Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael King Jr. on January 15, 1929.
His father, Michael King Sr., changed both their names in 1934 after a trip to Germany, where he was inspired by the life of Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther.
Thus, Michael King Jr. became Martin Luther King Jr., and Michael King Sr. became Martin Luther King Sr.
2. He skipped two grades in school
King was a gifted student who skipped both ninth and twelfth grades.
He entered Morehouse College at the young age of 15, where he studied sociology.
He later earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University.
3. He survived an assassination attempt in 1958
Before his assassination in 1968, King survived an attempt on his life ten years earlier.
In 1958, while signing copies of his book "Stride Toward Freedom" at a department store in Harlem, New York, a woman named Izola Curry approached and stabbed him with a letter opener.
The blade narrowly missed his aorta, and King underwent emergency surgery to remove the weapon.
4. He was a Trekkie
King was a fan of the original Star Trek series (1966-1969), which was groundbreaking for its portrayal of a racially diverse cast in a positive light.
In fact, he convinced actress Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Lieutenant Uhura, to stay on the show when she considered leaving for Broadway.
He believed her role on the series was important for African Americans and the civil rights movement.
5. He won a Grammy Award
King posthumously won a Grammy Award in 1971 for Best Spoken Word Recording for his "Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam" speech.
He remains one of the few historical figures to receive this prestigious award.
6. He improvised the "I Have a Dream" speech
One of King's most iconic speeches, "I Have a Dream," was delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Interestingly, the famous phrase "I have a dream" was not part of King's original prepared text.
As he spoke, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who was standing nearby, shouted, "Tell them about the dream, Martin!"
Encouraged by her words, King departed from his script and improvised the legendary lines that have since become synonymous with his name and the civil rights movement.
Now you know...
These lesser-known facts about Martin Luther King Jr. shed light on his extraordinary intellect, resilience, and humanity.
By understanding these aspects of his life, we can better appreciate the depth of his character and the impact he had on the world.
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