King Martin Luther (King Martin Luther)

(1929-1968)
Born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta (pc. Georgia), the son of a Baptist clergyman. At the age of 15 years enrolled in Morehouse College. In 1951 he graduated from theological seminary Krouzera in Pennsylvania, in 1955 received his doctorate in theology at Boston University. In 1954, King became a priest of the Baptist church on Dexter Avenue in Montgomery (pc. Alabama).
He became widely known as a fighter for civil rights of black people. In January 1957, took part in the creation of american South Christian Leadership Conference, whose aim was to coordinate the efforts of human rights organizations. In 1960 he moved to Atlanta and devoted himself entirely to the work of the Conference. In 1960 and 1961 participated in sit-ins and 'Freedom March'. In 1963 wrote the Letter from the Birmingham jail in which he called the clergy to support the struggle for equal rights for all citizens.

In March 1963, more than 200 thousand. people, most of whom were African Americans, marched to Washington. King, who, among others, spoke at the rally, delivered the famous speech I Have a Dream. In 1964, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act. In October 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the movement of nonviolent resistance to racial oppression.

In 1965, King led a movement for voter registration in Alabama. In mid-1960's struggle for equal rights for African Americans has spread to urban ghettos of the North. In 1965 and 1966, King led a campaign against racial discrimination in Chicago.

In 1966, the first African-American leaders spoke out against the Vietnam War. In 1968, organized a 'campaign of the poor' to unite the poor of all races in the fight against poverty. In order to support the strike of garbage went to Memphis (pc. Tennessee).

He was assassinated in Memphis April 4, 1968. King's assassination provoked riots black population more than 100 U.S. cities. Over a hundred thousand people who attended his funeral in Atlanta.

Among King's Works - Step to Freedom (Stride Toward Freedom, 1958), in which direction we go - to the chaos or community? (Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? 1967).