Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
An American Hero
Education
Martin was a good speaker. He won a big speech contest in high school. Martin was smart too. He was 15 years old when he finished high school in 1944. Martin went to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
Life's Work
In 1948 Martin became a minister. He worked hard to change segregation laws. He gave speeches and led marches. He told people not to fight. He showed people how to change laws in peaceful ways.
Contributions
In 1964 the Civil Rights Act became law. People of color had equal rights. Martin's work paved the way. Martin was killed in 1968. Today, Americans of all races celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day each January.
Last Years
Martin sometimes went to jail or faced violence for his ideas, but he kept working. In 1963 he gave his famous speech, "I Have a Dream," in Washington, D.C. In 1964 he won the Nobel Peace Prize.