Major Events in Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life

One of the defining moments in King’s early career was the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, sparked by Rosa Parks’ arrest. His leadership in this movement catapulted him into the national spotlight as a civil rights leader advocating for nonviolent protest.

In 1963, he led the Birmingham campaign, where he was arrested for peaceful protests. His famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” defended civil disobedience and became a defining text of the civil rights movement. That same year, he delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, calling for racial equality.

The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were direct results of his efforts. Despite facing threats and violence, King continued to push for justice until his assassination in 1968, leaving behind a legacy of courage and change.