10 Things You May Not Know About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Very few people have been honored with a national holiday dedicated to them, but Martin Luther King Jr. is one of them. As a Baptist minister and activist, King represented minorities, those who were struggling for equality and freedom during the civil rights movement. He became the symbol of the fight against oppression and will forever be remembered for his commitment and perseverance to the cause. Even though he was assassinated in 1968, his “I Have a Dream” Speech is still quoted today in the struggle to end racism in our country and around the world.

Every year on the third Monday in January, we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. as a federal holiday. His actual birthday is January 15th. The following are other little-known facts about this civil rights icon.

1. King was Arrested Twenty-Nine Times

King was arrested on charges such as civil disobedience, loitering, obstructing the sidewalk, speeding, and parading without a permit. His only felony charge led him to be the first person in the state of Alabama to be charged with tax fraud. He was accused of falsifying his 1956 and 1958 income tax returns, but was acquitted by an all-white jury.

2. He Started College When He Was 15 Years Old

King was an exceptional student and was able to skip the 9th and 12th grades, which allowed him to enroll at Morehouse College when he was only 15. Morehouse was the alma mater of his father and maternal grandfather. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all Baptist ministers, so it was assumed that he would follow in their footsteps.

King had no intention of continuing the family legacy, as he worked towards a degree in Sociology. Prior to graduation, he met renowned theologian Benjamin E. Mays, the Morehouse College president, who convinced him to follow the path set forth by his family. King still gained his B.A. in Sociology but was also ordained prior to graduation.

3. King Was a Typical College Kid

Despite King’s immense determination, he also enjoyed his college years as most young people do. He drank beer and played pool, which was very considered very distasteful during that period.

He was also very active in extra curricular activities such as the debate team, student council glee club, and minister’s union. He took part in the local NAACP chapter and played on the YMCA’s basketball team. He entered speech competitions, of which twice he won second place. At least now we know where his confident words came from.

4. Before Coretta, He Fell in Love with a White Woman

While at Crozer Seminary, King fell in love with a German cafeteria employee named Betty. As she was considered to be white, his friends talked him into ending the relationship. They knew that King’s father would not approve of the relationship and as this was in the 1940s and interracial marriage was still illegal. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of interracial marriages in 1967.

5. King earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology

King received a divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and then went on to attend graduate school at Boston University. There he earned his Ph. D. in Systematic Theology in 1955. He was then known as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

6. There Was an Assassination Attempt a Decade Before the One That Ended His Life

On September 20, 1958, King was signing copies of his new book “Stride Toward Freedom” at a department store in Harlem, when a young woman approached him. She asked if he was Martin Luther King Jr, and after he confirmed that he was, she stated, “I’ve been looking for you for five years” and proceeded to plunge a seven inch long letter opener into his chest.

The tip of the blade just missed his aorta and he was transported to Harlem Hospital, where he underwent hours of surgery. Doctors told King that had he coughed or sneezed, his aorta could have been penetrated and he would have died.

The suspect was identified as Izola Ware Curry. She was committed to the Mattewan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane after she was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and was found not competent to stand trial.

7. King was the Youngest Person to be Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was only 35 years old when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for civil rights for the African American population. He was bestowed the honor in 1964, four years before his assassination.

8. His Last Public Speech Predicted His Death

In April 1968, King traveled to Memphis, TN to support the city’s black garbage workers’ strike. The night before his assassination, King made the following statements to the audience gathered at the Mason Temple Church:

“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now … I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

9. King’s Mother Was Also Murdered

On June 30, 1974, six years after the assassination of her son, Alberta King was shot and killed during Sunday Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church. As she played the organ, Marcus Wayne Chenault Jr arose from the front pew, pulled out two pistols and started firing. One bullet struck and killed Mrs. King, while the other took the life of one of the church’s deacons.

The suspect stated that Christians were his enemy and that he had received divine instructions to kill King’s father. However, he chose to kill his mother instead because she was closer. Chenault was sentenced to death, but it was changed to life in prison after the King family shared their opposition to capital punishment.

10. Finally, Martin Luther King Jr’s birth name was actually Michael

He was born Michael King Jr on January 15, 1929. His father traveled to Germany in 1934 and was so inspired by the Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther that when he returned, changed his name and his son’s to Martin Luther King.

Bonus Fact: There are over 730 streets in the United States named after Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bonus Fact #2: Samuel L. Jackson was an usher at Dr. King’s funeral.

Sources

https://www.phillytrib.com/news/across_america/martin-luther-king-jr-s-arrest-record-in-georgia-county-to-be-expunged/article_2dd341b4-83a9-58a1-a0b2-62088c10534d.html

https://www.usatoday.com/story/college/2017/01/13/13-things-you-probably-never-knew-about-martin-luther-kings-college-years/37426027/

https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/curry-izola-ware

https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-martin-luther-king-jr

***Note: This story was previously published on Medium.com by the author***