Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement. Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, King became a Baptist minister and social activist who led the fight against racial segregation and discrimination ¹.

*Early Life and Education*
King\'s upbringing played a significant role in shaping his values and worldview. His father, Martin Luther King Sr., was a Baptist minister who stood up against segregation and discrimination. King Jr. attended Morehouse College, where he became involved in the civil rights movement. He later studied at Crozer Theological Seminary and Boston University, earning a PhD in systematic theology ¹.

*Civil Rights Activism*
King\'s activism began in the 1950s, with the Montgomery Bus Boycott, where he advocated for the end of segregation on public buses. He became the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and led protests, marches, and demonstrations across the United States. His iconic \"I Have a Dream\" speech during the 1963 March on Washington cemented his status as a leader in the civil rights movement ¹.

*Key Achievements*
Some of King\'s notable achievements include:

- *Leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott*: King\'s first major civil rights victory, which ended segregation on public buses in Montgomery, Alabama.
- *Founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)*: King became the first president of the SCLC, which played a crucial role in the civil rights movement.
- *Delivering the \"I Have a Dream\" Speech*: King\'s iconic speech during the 1963 March on Washington, where he called for racial equality and an end to segregation.
- *Advocating for Voting Rights*: King played a key role in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

*Legacy*
Martin Luther King Jr.\'s legacy extends far beyond his own lifetime. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977. King\'s birthday is now a federal holiday in the United States, and his message of equality and justice continues to inspire people around the world ¹.