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Birth
Born at noon on January 15, 1929 to The Reverend and Mrs. Martin Luther King Sr. They lived at 501 Auburn Avenue, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia. -
Graduation
Graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and was admitted to Morehouse College at age 15. -
Ordained
Graduates from Morehouse College and enters Crozer Theological Seminary. Ordained to the Baptist ministry, February 25, 1948, at age 19. -
Boston University
Enters Boston University for graduate studies. -
Marriage
Marries Coretta Scott and settles in Montgomery, Alabama. -
Boycot + Arrested
Joins the bus boycott after Rosa Parks was arrested on December 1. -
Elected President of M.I.A.
On December 5, he is elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, making him the official spokesman for the boycott. -
Bus Segregation is Illegalized
On November 13, the Supreme Court rules that bus segregation is illegal, ensuring victory for the boycott. -
Speech in Washington
On May 17, Dr. King speaks to a crowd of 15,000 in Washington, D.C. -
Nearly Killed
On a speaking tour, Martin Luther King, Jr. is nearly killed when stabbed by an assailant in Harlem. Met with President Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with Roy Wilkins, A. Philip Randolph, and Lester Grange on problems affecting black Americans. -
Jailed
During the unsuccessful Albany, Georgia movement, King is arrested on July 27 and jailed.