(CLAIR) – This week, Simi Valley commemorates the birth of Baptist minister and social activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968). Dr. King devoted his life to the pursuit of justice and equality for all. He fought tirelessly against the unjust system of segregation, which kept Black Americans separate and unequal. Through his powerful speeches and nonviolent actions, he played a crucial role in dismantling this system and paving the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Following are 10 facts about Martin Luther King Jr, that most people never knew.
- MLK’s Name Was Originally Michael, Not Martin
King was not always known by the name we all know him by today. In fact, his birth name was Michael King Jr. Born on January 15, 1929. It wasn’t until 1934 that his name was changed by his father, a pastor at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. Inspiration struck the elder King during a trip to Germany, where he was deeply moved by the legacy of Martin Luther, a leader of the Protestant Reformation. Fueled by this newfound admiration, King Sr. decided to not only change his own name, but also that of his young son, who would go on to become one of the most iconic figures in history. - MLK Escaped an Assassination Attempt 10 Years Before His Death
A decade before his tragic death, King had a brush with death that shook him to the core. On September 20, 1958, King was signing copies of his new book, Stride Toward Freedom, at a department store in Harlem, when he was approached by a woman named Izola Ware Curry. Without warning, she pulled out a seven-inch letter opener and plunged it into King’s chest. The blade came dangerously close to puncturing his aorta. King underwent hours of delicate emergency surgery. The surgeons later informed King that just one sneeze could have been fatal. Despite the life-threatening injury and weeks spent recovering in the hospital, King remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolence, even towards his mentally ill attacker. He issued a statement affirming his principles and expressing no ill-will towards her. This narrow escape from death only strengthened King’s resolve to continue fighting for civil rights and equality. - MLK Was Arrested And Jailed 29 Times
Throughout his lifetime, King was no stranger to the inside of a prison cell. His unwavering commitment to justice and equality led him to be imprisoned nearly 30 times. According to the King Center, King was arrested 29 times for acts of civil disobedience and even on baseless charges. Even in the face of injustice, King remained steadfast in his pursuit for freedom and equality, even in the face of imprisonment. One such instance was in 1956, when he was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama for driving just 5 miles above the speed limit. These imprisonments only served to strengthen his resolve and further cement his legacy as a fearless champion for civil rights. - MLK’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech Was Not His First At the Lincoln Memorial
Before he delivered the powerful and iconic “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington, King had already made a name for himself as a powerful orator and civil rights leader. Six years prior, he stood before the Lincoln Memorial during the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom on May 17, 1957. The crowd, estimated to be between 15,000 and 30,000 people, listened intently as King delivered his first national address on the topic of voting rights. In this historic speech, King urged America to recognize the importance of the ballot, and to give it to all citizens, regardless of race. His powerful words and delivery earned him strong reviews and solidified his position as one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement. - MLK Skipped Two Grades And Entered College At 15
At just 15 years old, King was already a prodigy in the academic world. Skipping not one, but two grades, he enrolled at Morehouse College in 1944. Not only was Morehouse the alma mater of his father and maternal grandfather, but it was also where King’s destiny would be shaped. Despite coming from a long line of Baptist ministers, King had not initially planned to follow in their footsteps. However, after being mentored by the renowned theologian and Morehouse president, Benjamin E. Mays, King was convinced to pursue a career in the ministry. And so, before even graduating with a degree in sociology, he was ordained as a minister. - MLK’s Mother Was Also Shot And Killed
Tragically, the King family suffered another devastating loss when Alberta Williams King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s mother, was brutally murdered while playing the organ at her church. On June 30th, 1974, as she led the congregation in song, a deranged gunman rose from the front pew, pulled out two pistols and began firing. The bullets struck Alberta, killing her on the spot, just steps away from where her son Martin had once preached about nonviolence. The shooter claimed that Christians were his enemies, and although he had received divine instructions to kill King’s father, who was in the congregation, he killed King’s mother instead because she was closer. This brutal act of violence also took the life of a church deacon. The shooter was sentenced to death, but the King family’s opposition to the death penalty resulted in his sentence being commuted to life in prison. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the senseless violence that still plagues our society. - MLK Predicted His Death One Day Before His Assassination
On the eve of his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a powerful and prophetic speech at the Mason Temple Church in Memphis. He had come to the city to support a strike by Black garbage workers, and in his speech, he spoke of his vision for a better future for all people. Despite the danger that surrounded him, he was unwavering in his determination to fight for equality and justice. He famously declared, “I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” In these powerful words, he foretold his own death, but his message of hope and change lives on to this day. - MLK Received A Doctorate Degree In Systematic Theology
With a burning passion for understanding the depths of faith and theology, King set out to earn his doctorate in systematic theology. After earning his divinity degree from the esteemed Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, he ventured to Boston University to delve even deeper into his studies. In 1955, after years of tireless research and contemplation, he emerged victorious with his Ph.D. in hand. The title of his dissertation, “A Comparison of the Conceptions of God in the Thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Wieman,” showcases the depth and nuance of his research. As he delved into the philosophies of two prominent theologians, King was able to gain a unique understanding of the concept of God, solidifying his place as a leading voice in the field of theology. - MLK is One Of Only Four Americans To Have Their Birthday Honored As A National Holiday
It is a rare honor to have one’s birthday observed as a national holiday, and Martin Luther King Jr. joins an elite group of only three other Americans who have received this distinction. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a federal holiday to honor King, and in 1986, the holiday was first commemorated on his January 15th birthday. This group of American heroes includes George Washington, the father of our nation, Abraham Lincoln, who fought to abolish slavery and preserve the Union, and Cesar Chavez, a civil rights activist who fought for the rights of farm workers. This recognition is a testament to the enduring impact of King’s legacy and his impact on American history. - MLK’s Family Does Not Believe James Earl Ray Acted Alone
The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. remains one of the most controversial and debated events in American history. James Earl Ray, a career criminal, was arrested and pleaded guilty to the murder, but later recanted his confession. However, members of King’s family, including his son Dexter and widow Coretta, believed that Ray did not act alone. They believed that there was a larger conspiracy at play involving the Mafia and government agencies. Coretta even went as far as to praise the outcome of a 1999 civil trial in which a Memphis jury found that the assassination was the result of a conspiracy and that Ray was a scapegoat. However, a U.S. Department of Justice investigation released in 2000 found no evidence of a conspiracy. This mystery still leaves many questions unanswered and continues to be a subject of much speculation and debate.
