The life and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. continues to echo throughout the years since he became a martyr of the Civil Rights Movement. The attempt to silence his visions by ending his life on that fateful day in April 1964 not only failed, but has inspired a whole new generation of activists — and this time they’re of all races, from a diversity of backgrounds, pushing for progress in their own unique ways. King inspired many with his storied life and, to this day, we’re still learning about the man behind those phenomenal speeches. Today, The MouthSoap revisits 10 interesting facts about Martin Luther King Jr.
10. His birth name was Michael.
Born Michael King Jr., the Atlanta pastor was renamed after his father traveled to Germany and was inspired by Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther.
9. He was arrested 29 times.
Throughout his storied life, MLK was arrested 29 times for simply being black. Charges were usually exaggerated and trumped up during a segregate and overtly racist time in history.
The political disruptor was arrested for perjury, disobeying a police order, loitering, traffic violations, doing sit-ins, driving without proper license, falsifying tax returns, and more. Many of the charges were dropped. Needless to say, there was nothing easy about being Martin Luther King Jr.
8. His grade in public speaking was a C average.
Martin Luther King Jr. wasn’t always a superb public speaker. The “I Have A Dream” orator once made a C grade in his public speaking class at Crozer Theological Seminary, according to Clayborne Carson, the founder of Stanford University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute.
7. He graduated with a PhD at the age of 25.
Despite the C in public speaking, King was an intellectual prodigy. In high school, he skipped two grades and went to college at the age of 15 in 1944.
He received his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology by 19. By the age of 25, he was able to obtain his PhD in Systematic Theology.
6. The FBI tried to coerce MLK to commit suicide.
At the height of King’s ascension to political power and social justice fame, the FBI attempted to take the civil rights leader out by writing him a letter threatening to expose extramarital affairs unless he killed himself. The bullying didn’t work and MLK continued his plight until his assassination in April 1964.
5. He was the youngest male to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at the age of 35, becoming the youngest male recipient of the accolade. The youngest Nobel Prize laureate of all time was Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzal, who was 17 at the time she was given the coveted award in 2014.
4. His favorite song was “Take My Hand, Precious Lord”.
To soothe his soul, MLK would listen to the gospel song “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” performed by Mahalia Jackson, who would sing the song at rallies, and later covered by Aretha Franklin.
King would find comfort in the lyrics written by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, “Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on through the light. Take my hand, precious Lord and lead me home.” Today, the song is published in over 40 different languages.
3. He died at the age of 39.
Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished many things in his life. He obtained his doctorate degree, headed the infamous Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, created a beautiful family and became infamous for his legendary speeches.
While most people don’t even find their footing in life until the age of 30 and beyond, MLK accomplished many feats and did a lot to impact his community.
The founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.
Little-known criminal James Earl Ray was accused of the murder and given a life sentence. Later, Ray would confess that he was the victim of a conspiracy, leaving many to question whether the government was behind King’s death.
2. There are 900 streets In America named after MLK, yet some states resist acknowledging the federal holiday made in his honor.
In 41 states across the U.S., there are an estimated 900 streets named after Martin Luther King Jr. These streets include major metropolises with many of them being in the southern states. Despite Martin Luther King Jr. Day being a federally-declared holiday, some states have resisted acknowledging that. States, such as Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia have attempted to dilute the memorial by drawing attention to confederate leaders Thomas Jackson and Robert E. Lee, who have birthdays in the month of January.
1. His mother died from a gunshot wound.
While playing the piano in church at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Alberta Williams King was targeted by gunman Wayne Chenault Jr. as he rang out gunshots from the foyer. He was given a life sentence for her death. She was 69 years old at the time of the unfortunate incident.
