Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Martin Luther King Jr.

Discover the career path of Martin Luther King Jr., from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal leader in the American civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. As a Baptist minister and political philosopher, he championed civil rights for people of color through nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. His activism targeted Jim Crow laws and other discriminatory practices, aiming to achieve equality and justice for all Americans. King's commitment to nonviolence and his powerful rhetoric made him an iconic figure in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1931: Michael King Sr. Becomes Pastor

In 1931, Michael King Sr. took over as the senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

1936: Civil Rights March Led by Martin King Sr.

In 1936, Martin Luther King Sr. led hundreds of African Americans in a civil rights march to Atlanta City Hall to protest voting rights discrimination.

1942: Assistant Manager for Atlanta Journal

In 1942, at 13 years old, King became the youngest assistant manager of a newspaper delivery station for the "Atlanta Journal".

1947: King Chooses to Enter the Ministry

In 1947, the 18-year-old King chose to enter the ministry, influenced by Morehouse College's president, Benjamin Mays.

1951: Doctoral Studies at Boston University and Assistant Minister

In 1951, Martin Luther King Jr. began his doctoral studies in systematic theology at Boston University. He also worked as an assistant minister at Boston's historic Twelfth Baptist Church with William Hunter Hester, who was an important influence on King. In Boston, King befriended a small group of local ministers and sometimes guest pastored at their churches, including Michael E. Haynes at Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury.

1951: Graduation with Bachelor of Divinity and Doctoral Studies at Boston University

In 1951, Martin Luther King Jr. graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity. He also began his doctoral studies in systematic theology at Boston University and worked as an assistant minister at Boston's historic Twelfth Baptist Church. He applied to the University of Edinburgh for a doctorate in the School of Divinity but ultimately chose Boston instead.

1952: Socialist Economic Views

In a 1952 letter to Coretta Scott, Martin Luther King Jr. expressed that he was much more socialistic in his economic theory than capitalistic.

1954: Called as Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

In 1954, at the age of 25, Martin Luther King Jr. was called as pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

June 5, 1955: King receives his PhD

On June 5, 1955, Martin Luther King Jr. received his PhD. His dissertation, initially supervised by Edgar S. Brightman and later by Lotan Harold DeWolf, was titled 'A Comparison of the Conceptions of God in the Thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Wieman.'

1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott

In 1955, King oversaw the Montgomery bus boycott, a significant event in the fight against segregation.

1955: King's Prominence in Civil Rights Movement

In 1955, Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a prominent leader in the civil rights movement, initiating his activism and leadership.

October 1956: Consideration of Presidential Candidates

In a letter to a civil rights supporter in October 1956, Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned that he had not yet decided whether to vote for Democrat Adlai Stevenson II or Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower at the upcoming 1956 presidential election, but noted that he had always voted the Democratic ticket in the past.

1957: Founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

In 1957, Martin Luther King Jr., along with Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, Joseph Lowery, and other civil rights activists, founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to conduct nonviolent protests for civil rights reform. King led the SCLC until his death.

1958: Interview on Political Party Alignment

In a 1958 interview, Martin Luther King Jr. expressed his view that neither the Republican nor the Democratic party was perfect and that he was not inextricably bound to either party. He stated that he felt someone must remain in the position of non-alignment, so that he can look objectively at both parties and be the conscience of both.

April 1959: King's Trip to India

In April 1959, King journeyed to India, deepening his understanding of nonviolent resistance and his commitment to America's struggle for civil rights.

September 1959: Speech at the University of Arizona and Visit to Papago Indian Reservation

In September 1959, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech at the University of Arizona on nonviolent methods for social change. Following the speech, King visited Southside Presbyterian Church and was inspired by their photos, leading to a visit to the Papago Indian Reservation with Casper Glenn. During his visit in September 1959, he met with tribal leaders and preached at a Presbyterian church near the reservation.

December 1959: Return to Atlanta and Co-Pastorship

In December 1959, after being based in Montgomery for five years, Martin Luther King Jr. announced his return to Atlanta at the request of the SCLC. In Atlanta, King served until his death as co-pastor with his father at the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

1959: Publication of "The Measure of a Man"

In 1959, King published a short book called "The Measure of a Man", which contained his sermons "What is Man?" and "The Dimensions of a Complete Life".

The Measure of a Man (Facets)

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1960: King uses concept of "agape"

Before 1960, King also sometimes used the concept of "agape" (brotherly Christian love).

1960: Private Vote for John F. Kennedy

In 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. privately voted for Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy, feeling that Kennedy would make the best president. King never publicly endorsed Kennedy. He mentions this in his autobiography.

November 1961: Formation of the Albany Movement

In November 1961, the Albany Movement, a desegregation coalition, was formed in Albany, Georgia.

March 1962: Return to Old Pueblo and Preaching to Native American Congregation

In March 1962, Martin Luther King Jr. returned to Old Pueblo where he preached again to a Native American congregation. This event in March 1962 highlights King's continued engagement with Native American communities during the civil rights movement.

1962: Gandhi Society for Human Rights and Call for Executive Order

In 1962, Martin Luther King Jr. served as honorary president of the Gandhi Society for Human Rights. King and the Gandhi Society produced a document that called on President Kennedy to issue an executive order to deliver a blow for civil rights as a kind of Second Emancipation Proclamation.

August 28, 1963: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr., representing the SCLC, was among the leaders of the 'Big Six' civil rights organizations who were instrumental in the organization of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

1963: Native American Contingent in the March on Washington

During the 1963 March on Washington, there was a sizable Native American contingent, including many from South Dakota and from the Navajo nation. This shows that in 1963, King would continue to attract the attention of Native Americans throughout the civil rights movement.

1963: Birmingham Protests and March on Washington

In 1963, King helped organize nonviolent protests in Birmingham, Alabama, and was a leader in the March on Washington, where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.

1963: Collaboration in the March on Washington

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. collaborated in the March on Washington, organized by Bayard Rustin. This role was controversial because King acceded to President Kennedy's wishes to change the march's focus. Kennedy, initially against the march due to concerns about civil rights legislation, later sought to ensure its success by mobilizing additional support.

February 6, 1964: Inaugural Speech at the New School

On February 6, 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the inaugural speech of a lecture series at the New School called "The American Race Crisis", comparing the condition of African Americans to India's untouchables, based on a conversation he had with Jawaharlal Nehru.

March 1964: Joining Forces in St. Augustine, Florida

In March 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. and the SCLC joined forces with Robert Hayling's movement in St. Augustine, Florida, despite its advocacy for armed self-defense. They brought white Northern activists to St. Augustine to protest segregation.

March 18, 1964: Interview with Robert Penn Warren

On March 18, 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was interviewed by Robert Penn Warren, during which King compared his activism to his father's and discussed the next phase of the civil rights movement and integration.

May 7, 1964: Speaking at Saint Francis College

On May 7, 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Saint Francis College's "The Negro and the Quest for Identity" in Biddeford, Maine, addressing the idea of racial superiority and inferiority through nonviolent tactics.

November 1964: Support for Scripto Factory Strike

In November 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. supported a labor strike by workers at the Scripto factory in Atlanta, leading the SCLC to organize a nationwide boycott of Scripto products to elevate the labor dispute. The boycott ended on December 24, 1964.

December 1964: Joining Forces with SNCC in Selma, Alabama

In December 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. and the SCLC joined forces with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in Selma, Alabama, where they had been working on voter registration.

1964: Opposition to Barry Goldwater's Presidential Candidacy

In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. urged his supporters to vote against Republican Senator Barry Goldwater for president, believing that his election would be a tragedy for the nation and the world.

1964: Impact of "I Have a Dream" Speech

In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech was recognized as one of the finest in American oratory. The March on Washington and the speech helped to put civil rights at the top of the agenda of reformers and facilitated the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

1964: Enactment of Civil Rights Act

In 1964, many of the rights that Martin Luther King Jr. organized and led marches for, such as blacks' right to vote, desegregation, and labor rights, were successfully enacted into law with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

1964: Potential Endorsement for a Second Kennedy Term

Martin Luther King Jr. stated that had President Kennedy lived, he likely would have made an exception to his non-endorsement policy for a second Kennedy term in 1964.

January 2, 1965: Defying Injunction in Selma

On January 2, 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. defied an injunction against gatherings by speaking at Brown Chapel in Selma, Alabama, temporarily halting civil rights activity until King defied it.

March 7, 1965: Bloody Sunday in Selma

On March 7, 1965, the first attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery was aborted due to mob and police violence against the demonstrators. This day became known as Bloody Sunday, which was a major turning point in the effort to gain public support for the civil rights movement.

March 25, 1965: Completion of the March to Montgomery

On March 25, 1965, the march to Montgomery, Alabama, was completed. At the conclusion of the march on the steps of the state capitol, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech that became known as "How Long, Not Long", stating that equal rights for African Americans could not be far away.

1965: Selma to Montgomery Marches

During the 1965 Selma voting rights movement, King helped organize two of the three Selma to Montgomery marches, advocating for voting rights.

1965: Enactment of Voting Rights Act

In 1965, many of the rights that Martin Luther King Jr. organized and led marches for, such as blacks' right to vote, desegregation, and labor rights, were successfully enacted into law with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

1965: Advocacy for Compensatory Programs

In a 1965 interview conducted for Playboy, Martin Luther King Jr. stated that black Americans and other disadvantaged Americans should be compensated for historical wrongs. He proposed a government compensatory program of $50 billion over ten years to all disadvantaged groups.

August 5, 1966: March through Marquette Park

On August 5, 1966, a march through Marquette Park was met by thrown bottles and screaming throngs. Martin Luther King Jr. negotiated an agreement with Mayor Richard J. Daley to cancel a march to avoid violence. King was hit by a brick during one march.

1966: Moving to Chicago's West Side

In 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy moved into a building in the slums of North Lawndale on Chicago's West Side to demonstrate their support for the poor.

April 4, 1967: "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" Speech

On April 4, 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech titled "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" at the New York City Riverside Church, criticizing the U.S.'s role in the Vietnam War and connecting the war with economic injustice.

April 15, 1967: Speaking at Anti-War March

On April 15, 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at an anti-war march from Manhattan's Central Park to the United Nations, organized by the Spring Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam. At the U.N. King brought up issues of civil rights and the draft.

1967: Increasing Anti-War Efforts

In 1967, James Bevel convinced Martin Luther King Jr. to become more active in the anti-war effort, but King was not fond of the hippie culture developed from the anti-war movement.

January 13, 1968: Call for March on Washington

On January 13, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. called for a large march on Washington against "one of history's most cruel and senseless wars".

March 29, 1968: Support for Memphis Sanitation Workers

On March 29, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. went to Memphis, Tennessee, in support of the black sanitation workers, who were represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1733. The workers were striking for higher wages and better treatment.

1968: World Constituent Assembly Convened

As a result of Martin Luther King Jr. signing an agreement to convene a convention for drafting a world constitution, in 1968 a World Constituent Assembly convened to draft and adopt the Constitution for the Federation of Earth.

1968: Consideration of Presidential Run

In 1968, Allard K. Lowenstein, William Sloane Coffin and Norman Thomas attempted to persuade Martin Luther King Jr. to run against President Johnson in the 1968 presidential election, but King decided against it.

1968: Organizing the "Poor People's Campaign"

In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. and the SCLC organized the "Poor People's Campaign" to address issues of economic justice, assembling a multiracial army of the poor to march on Washington.

1968: Views on Presidential Candidates

In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. believed Robert F. Kennedy would make for a good president, but also believed that he wouldn't beat Johnson in the 1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries. He also expressed support for the possible presidential candidacies of Republicans Nelson Rockefeller, George Romney and Charles Percy.