Martin Luther King Jr. was an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister who was a leader of the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history.
Drawing inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. King led a nonviolent movement in the late 1950s and ‘60s to achieve legal equality for African-Americans in the United States. While others were advocating for freedom by “any means necessary,” including violence, Martin Luther King, Jr. used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance, such as protests, grassroots organizing, and civil disobedience to achieve seemingly-impossible goals. He went on to lead similar campaigns against poverty and international conflict, always maintaining fidelity to his principles that men and women everywhere, regardless of color or creed, are equal members of the human family.
Speeches of Note
Dr. King gave 100’s of speeches during his lifetime. His eloquent oration goes far beyond the inspiration of the infamous “I have a dream” speech. To truly understand his brilliance and his contribution to the social justice movement in the world one must spend time listening, reading and watching some of his most noteable speeches, which I have selected below:
“The Other America” Relevant for 2026
Books to read by Dr. King
- Strength to Love,
- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story
- The Trumpet of Conscience
- Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?
- Why We Can’t Wait.
Get Involved: The King Center Projects
Dr. King’s descendants continue his mission to this day. YOU can do more than just take the day off, or watch a parade, movie or perform a day of service in his memory. YOU can get involved and continue Martin’s dream. To learn more visit The King Center…
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