January 16, 2023
January 16, 2023
Few words are more iconic in American culture than “I have a dream.” The man who said those words in a stirring speech was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – a name that most Americans are incredibly familiar with.
King was an incredible speaker and an interesting man. As we gear up to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the U.S., it’s a good time to brush up on a few interesting facts to share with kids about this amazing person who shaped not only the civil rights movement in America, but the very fabric of what it means to be an American for so many people.
There are so many important facts about Martin Luther King worth knowing that it’s hard to whittle them down to just a few! However, we’ve put together the key things you should know about Martin Luther King Jr. and the life he led that continues to inspire us today.
Martin Luther King Facts
When searching for Martin Luther King facts for kids, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information out there. In the 39 years MLK had on this planet, he left an indelible mark, and there’s a lot to know and understand about this complex and inspirational man.
Don’t feel overwhelmed! You can talk with your kids easily about the man he was and the accomplishments he had, as well as the impact of his life by starting small – e.g.: What are 5 things Martin Luther was known for? Here are a few facts to help you get started.
1. He Went To College When He Was 15
There’s no doubt that MLK was a very intelligent person, but this is further demonstrated by the fact that he went to college when he was just 15 years old.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Morehouse College in 1948, at just 19 years of age!
2. He’s The Only Non-President Who Has A National Holiday On His Birthday
Ronald Reagan signed the bill that established the holiday known today as MLK Day in 1983. The only other figures who have their birthdays celebrated by a national holiday are Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, so this fact can help kids to understand just how important MLK was to the history of this nation.
MLK’s birthday was on January 15th, but it’s been established that MLK Day is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year. It’s a great day to talk about and participate in acts of service in your community with your kids.
3. He Led The Montgomery Bus Boycott
A watershed moment in the civil rights movement in the 1960s was the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and MLK was the leader of that boycott.
In 1955, King led this nonviolent protest to desegregate the buses in the city. It was inspired by Rosa Parks’ courageous action to not give up her seat on a bus to a white woman simply because she was Black. The bus boycott lasted 381 days and led to a landmark Supreme Court case that ruled bus segregation as unconstitutional in this country.
4. He Played A Big Role In Legislative Change
While MLK was involved in many famous civil rights marches, like the Selma and Birmingham marches, his work led to actual changes in the laws of the country.
His active role as a civil rights leader who practiced nonviolence helped to set the tone for the entire civil rights movement, showing how civil disobedience can help to demonstrate unjust and unfair situations to the general public for what they are, leading to change.
His actions and his style of protest involving marches, sit-ins, and boycotts were effective and led to legislative action to help address racial discrimination. Some of this landmark legislation includes the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, and the Immigration and National Services Act of 1965. These pieces of legislation still have a positive impact on people in the United States today.
5. He Was Assassinated In 1968
Perhaps one of the saddest things to reflect on during the celebration of MLK’s life and the good he put out into the world is his untimely death. On April 4, 1968, MLK was killed by a single gunshot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
Today, you can visit that motel, which has been turned into the National Civil Rights Museum – a great place to explore on a family trip to Memphis.
What Is Martin Luther King Most Famous For?
King was a Baptist minister with several advanced degrees. He was the driving force behind major civil rights events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington that took place in 1963, all nonviolently. His hard work led to landmark civil rights legislation in this country, and he won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
However, if you ask the average person what they know of MLK, they’ll likely point out his “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on August 28, 1963. In the address, he called for an end to racism in the U.S., as well as economic and civil rights for African Americans. MLK Day is a great day to watch this incredibly moving speech with your children.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day means a lot to many people. Seize this opportunity to start a dialogue with children about racial justice and racism in this country – because if there’s one thing MLK taught us all, it’s that when you know better, you should strive to do better. As parents and educators, we play a key role in shaping how children view the world and their place in it, so use MLK as an example to do better and pass that on to the next generation.
Featured image by Unseen Histories on Unsplash