Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Date and Basic Facts
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was an American Baptist minister and civil rights leader who became the most visible spokesperson and leader of the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. His birth name was Michael King Jr., and he was later renamed along with his father in honor of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther. Below are verified details, a concise timeline, and key context drawn from authoritative sources, including the King Institute and National Archives.
Key Details of Martin Luther King Jr.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full name at birth | Michael King Jr. | Documented biographical records |
| Name change | Renamed to Martin Luther King Jr. in 1934 (father and son) | King Institute documentation |
| Date of birth | January 15, 1929 | Birth certificate; federal records |
| Place of birth | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Hospital and family records |
| Parents | Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King | Family genealogy |
| Siblings | Christine King Farris and Alfred Daniel Williams King | Family documents |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College; Bachelor of Divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary; PhD from Boston University | Institutional records |
| Key role | Leader in the civil rights movement; advocate of nonviolent resistance | Historical speeches and writings |
| Notable event timing | Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956); March on Washington (1963); Nobel Peace Prize (1964) | Historical archives |
| Death | Assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee | Official investigations and records |
Early Life and Family Context
Martin Luther King Jr. was born into a respected and religious family in Atlanta, Georgia. His father, Martin Luther King Sr., was a pastor, and his mother, Alberta Williams King, was a former schoolteacher. The family attended Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King Jr. was later baptized and became a junior preacher. Growing up in the segregated South, he experienced racial discrimination early, which shaped his moral and theological outlook. He skipped both the ninth and twelfth grades, entering Morehouse College at age 15, and later pursued theological studies before entering ministry.
Key Milestones and Timeline
After his birth on January 15, 1929, King’s life unfolded through pivotal moments that defined the civil rights era. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1948, earned his doctorate in systematic theology by 1955, and rose to national prominence during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. His leadership during the bus boycott demonstrated the power of organized, nonviolent protest. Subsequent milestones include the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, the March on Washington in 1963, and the receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. His advocacy helped lead to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Age at Key Public Milestones
- 26 — Montgomery Bus Boycott begins (1955)
- 34 — Founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1957)
- 38 — March on Washington and “I Have a Dream” speech (1963)
- 35 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1964)
- 39 — Assassination in Memphis (1968)
Namesake and Naming Tradition
Martin Luther King Jr. was originally named Michael King Jr. In 1934, his father, Michael King Sr., changed both his own name and his son’s name to Martin Luther after attending the Fifth Congress of the Baptist World Alliance in Berlin. The name honored the 16th-century Protestant reformer Martin Luther. This change marked a significant family event and is often cited in biographical sources as an important symbolic act.
Legacy and Ongoing Recognition
Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy centers on nonviolent resistance, civil rights, and economic justice. His writings, including the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and the “I Have a Dream” speech, remain influential in ethical and political discourse. In the United States, his birthday is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January, a designation that was established in 1983 and first celebrated nationally in 1986. Monuments, educational programs, and institutional scholarships reflect his enduring impact on law, culture, and human rights.
Birth Context and Historical Setting
King was born during the Jim Crow era in the American South, a time of legalized racial segregation and voter suppression. His early experiences with racial injustice informed his philosophy of nonviolent protest, which drew on Christian theology, Gandhi’s principles of nonviolent resistance, and American democratic ideals. Understanding his birth year and place helps contextualize the challenges he faced and the significance of his leadership in dismantling institutionalized racism through organized activism and moral persuasion.
Summary of Key Verified Facts
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally named Michael King Jr., he was renamed in 1934 in honor of the reformer Martin Luther. He was a Baptist minister, civil rights leader, and advocate of nonviolent resistance. Key milestones include his role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, founding the SCLC, delivering the “I Have a Dream” speech, and receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968. His legacy is honored through a federal holiday, academic institutions, and ongoing civil rights work.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is his birthday observed on a different date each year? — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday in January, which can fall between January 15 and 21. This creates a sliding date while keeping the observance close to his actual birth date.
- Was he born with the name Martin Luther King Jr.? — No. He was born Michael King Jr. and was renamed in 1934 when his father changed both their names.
- Where is he buried? — He is buried at the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside his wife, Coretta Scott King.
- How is his birthday a federal holiday? — Legislation passed in 1983 established the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with nationwide observance beginning in 1986.
- What was his role in the civil rights movement? — He served as a prominent spokesperson and leader, organizing protests, advocating nonviolent resistance, and helping secure major legislative achievements including the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.