Martin Luther King Jr: The Man Whose Dream Sparked a Movement

Martin Luther King Day is celebrated in the United States every third Monday of January, and it is a holiday commemorating the birth of one of the leading civil and human rights activists of all time. He peacefully fought to end violence and positively influenced the African-American and Latino communities through his fight to end racial discrimination.

Who was Martin Luther King?

Martin Luther King was born as Michael King Jr, in Atlanta, GA, on January 15th, 1929. He was an American Baptist minister and activist, who became the most visible spokesman and leader of the civil rights movement from 1955 until his murder in 1968. He was a leader of the African-American church and son of the first activist and civil rights minister, Martin Luther King Sr.

He led a crucial fight in the United States as the head of the movement for civil rights for African-Americans and participated in numerous protests against the Vietnam War and poverty in general.

From an early age, Luther King fought to end American segregation and racial discrimination through nonviolent means, defending the causes and rights of black and Latino citizens. Through these protests he was able to achieve numerous groundbreaking rights, such as granting African Americans the right to use public transportation and enter other public places. 

Martin Luther King, also known as MLK was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964: however, he was heavily besieged by white segregationists, who considered him a real threat to their livelihoods. He had been the victim of several attacks throughout his life, and ultimately, while participating in a strike in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4th, 1968, he was assassinated. 

Origin of Martin Luther King Day

Just four days after his murder, Michigan Democratic Congressman, John Conyers, introduced legislation to commemorate Martin Luther King Day. However, the proposal did not have enough impact in Congress, despite being backed by the signatures of more than 6 million people.

Each year, Conyers and Shirley Chisholm, from New York, sent the proposal to Congress again, but it was unsuccessful. During 1982 and 1983, the civil rights marches in Washington constituted significant public pressure until, finally, in 1983, President Ronald Reagan enacted a holiday.

How America Celebrates Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday that commemorates the life, legacy and the great dream of the civil rights activist, that all human beings are equal regardless of their race. As the years go by, the importance of his work continues to affect not only the US but also the rest of the world. He is remembered for his desire for all people to enjoy freedom, justice and equality and left us with one of the most moving speeches in history, aptly titled “I Have a Dream.”

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Films that pay tribute to Martin Luther King

The life and work of Martin Luther King has served to inspire great film producers around the world, publicizing the figure of one of the most important and influential men in the United States of America.

Check out some films that take an in-depth look at a man who marked the history of, not only the United States, but all of humanity.

Alpha Man.

This is a documentary that narrates another little-known facet of the life of Martin Luther King. It tells about his participation in the university fraternity known as Alpha Phi Alpha, where he took his first steps to forge all his social and political struggles, which would eventually make him worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Selma.

This film details what happened in Selma, Alabama, upon the arrival of Martin Luther King after the assassination of black activist Jimmie Lee Jackson provoked protests and large demonstrations. Here, the man who would change the history of an entire society is described in a more personal way.

I’m not your Negro.

A fascinating documentary that captures the struggles, battles and also the great achievements of black people, and the leading roles that Martin Luther King and Malcolm X had in making this reality possible.

If you are interested in the Latino and African-American communities, check our piece: What Does It Mean to be Afro-Latino