A closer look at the lasting mark left by Martin Luther King Jr.—a timeline of influence.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal leader in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for racial equality through nonviolent resistance. As a Baptist minister and activist, he challenged segregation and discrimination against people of color. King led marches, boycotts, and protests, inspiring significant legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His commitment to nonviolence, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. King's legacy continues to influence movements for social justice and equality worldwide, though his life was tragically cut short by assassination in 1968.
1957: Awarded Spingarn Medal
In 1957, King was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.
Share
1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, marking a pivotal legislative gain for the civil rights movement.
Share
1964: Passage of the Civil Rights Act
In 1964, the March on Washington and King's "I Have a Dream" speech facilitated the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Share
1964: King's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance
When receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, King hailed the "successful precedent" of using nonviolence.
Share
1965: Awarded American Liberties Medallion
In 1965, King was awarded the American Liberties Medallion by the American Jewish Committee for his exceptional advancement of the principles of human liberty.
Share
1966: Awarded Margaret Sanger Award
In 1966, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America awarded King the Margaret Sanger Award for his courageous resistance to bigotry and his lifelong dedication to social justice and human dignity. Also in 1966, King was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Share
November 1967: Honorary Doctorate from Newcastle University
In November 1967, King received an honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from Newcastle University, becoming the first African American the institution had recognized in this way.
Share
1967: Persuading Nichelle Nichols to Stay on Star Trek
In 1967, King persuaded actress Nichelle Nichols not to leave Star Trek, explaining that her character signified a future of racial cooperation.
Share
1967: King Receives Honorary Degree from Newcastle University
In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. made his final visit to the UK to receive an honorary degree from Newcastle University.
Share
1968: Fair Housing Act of 1968
In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was passed, representing a further legislative achievement for the civil rights movement.
Share
1968: Civil Rights Act of 1968 Enacted
In 1968, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. helped to spur the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
Share
1968: Congress Passes the Civil Rights Act of 1968
Just days after King's assassination, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Title VIII of the Act, commonly known as the Fair Housing Act, prohibited discrimination in housing.
Share
March 10, 1969: James Earl Ray Confesses to King's Murder
On March 10, 1969, James Earl Ray confessed to the murder of Martin Luther King Jr., although he recanted this confession three days later and pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty.
Share
December 30, 1969: Martin Luther King Fund and Foundation set up in UK
On December 30, 1969, The Martin Luther King Fund and Foundation in the UK was established as a charity after King's assassination, following Coretta King's visit to the UK that same year.
Share
1970: Formation of International Personnel (IP)
In 1970, International Personnel (IP), an employment agency, was formed from the Martin Luther King Foundation's base in Balham to find employment for professionally qualified black people.
Share
1971: Establishment of annual holidays
Beginning in 1971, cities and states established annual holidays to honor King.
Share
1971: Best Spoken Word Recording Grammy Award
In 1971, Martin Luther King Jr. posthumously won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Recording for "Why I Oppose The War In Vietnam".
Share
1971: Establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In 1971, cities and states began establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a holiday.
Share
1975: Church Committee Investigation
In 1975, the Church Committee found that Martin Luther King Jr. was the target of an intensive FBI campaign to 'neutralize' him as a civil rights leader from December 1963 until his death in 1968.
Share
1977: Order to Seal FBI Surveillance Tapes
In 1977, Judge John Lewis Smith Jr. ordered the recorded audiotapes and written transcripts resulting from the FBI's electronic surveillance of King between 1963 and 1968 to be sealed until 2027.
Share
1977: Posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 1977, Martin Luther King Jr. was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his contributions to civil rights.
Share
1977: King's Remains Transferred
In 1977, Martin Luther King Jr.'s remains were transferred to a tomb on the site of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
Share
1977: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Martin Luther King Jr. in recognition of his contributions.
Share
November 2, 1983: Federal Holiday Created
On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a federal holiday to honor King, known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Share
January 20, 1986: First Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On January 20, 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was observed for the first time as a federal holiday.
Share
1986: Federal Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed as a federal holiday in the United States, honoring his legacy nationally.
Share
October 1991: Academic Inquiry on Dissertation
In October 1991, an academic inquiry concluded that portions of King's doctoral dissertation had been plagiarized, but the committee did not recommend revoking his degree.
Share
November 18, 1996: Removal of Foundation from Charity Commission List
On November 18, 1996, The Martin Luther King Fund and Foundation was removed from the Charity Commission list as it had ceased to exist.
Share
1997: Dexter Scott King Meets with James Earl Ray
In 1997, Dexter Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr.'s son, met with James Earl Ray and publicly supported Ray's efforts to obtain a new trial regarding the assassination.
Share
1998: James Earl Ray Dies
In 1998, James Earl Ray, the confessed assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., died at the age of 70, after spending years attempting to withdraw his guilty plea.
Share
1999: New Hampshire recognizes the holiday
In 1999, New Hampshire recognized Martin Luther King Jr. day.
Share
January 17, 2000: MLK Day Observed in All U.S. States
On January 17, 2000, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was officially observed in all fifty U.S. states for the first time.
Share
2000: Person of the Century Poll
In 2000, Martin Luther King Jr. was voted sixth in an online "Person of the Century" poll by Time Magazine.
Share
2003: Posthumous Congressional Gold Medal
In 2003, Martin Luther King Jr. was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, further honoring his legacy.
Share
2003: Pepper's book publication
In 2003, Pepper published a book about the investigation and trial, as well as his representation of James Earl Ray in his bid for a trial.
Share
2004: Jesse Jackson's statement
In 2004, Jesse Jackson made a statement about King's assassination.
Share
2004: Congressional Gold Medal
In 2004, Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Share
2006: Coretta Scott King's Death and King Center
In 2006, Coretta Scott King passed away. The same year, she established the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Share
2008: Jerry Ray's Interview on James Earl Ray
In 2008, James Earl Ray's younger brother, Jerry Ray, gave an interview to CNN where he described James as bold and capable of armed robbery.
Share
2010: Martin Luther King III becomes president of the King Center
In 2010, Martin Luther King III became president of the King Center.
Share
2011: Dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
In 2011, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., commemorating his life and work.
Share
2012: Bernice King becomes CEO of the King Center
In 2012, Bernice King became the CEO of the King Center.
Share
2014: Release of FBI Letter
Upon the release of the full FBI letter in 2014, Yale history professor Beverly Gage noted that the FBI's intent might have been to push King out of the SCLC, not induce suicide.
Share
April 20, 2016: $5, $10, and $20 Bill Redesign Announcement
On April 20, 2016, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced the redesign of the $5, $10, and $20 bills, with the $5 bill featuring images from King's "I Have a Dream" speech on the reverse.
Share
September 9, 2016: King canonized by Archbishop Timothy Paul
On September 9, 2016, Martin Luther King Jr. was canonized by Archbishop Timothy Paul of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church, with his feast day set as April 4.
Share
2017: CIA Files Declassified
In 2017, CIA files were declassified, revealing the agency's investigation into possible links between King and Communism after a 1964 Washington Post article.
Share
2017: Statue and Bar Renaming at Newcastle University
In 2017, Newcastle University unveiled a bronze statue of Martin Luther King Jr. to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his honorary doctorate ceremony. The Students Union also voted to rename their bar "Luther's".
Share
2017: CIA Document Declassified
In 2017, a CIA document from 1967 was declassified, downplaying King's role in the "black militant situation" in Chicago.
Share
2020: $5, $10, and $20 Bill Redesign
In 2020, the $5, $10, and $20 bills were set to undergo redesign, with the $5 bill featuring images from King's "I Have a Dream" speech on the reverse.
Share
January 23, 2025: Declassification of Records Concerning Assassination
On January 23, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order declassifying the records concerning the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Share
2027: Scheduled Declassification of Tapes
In 2027, the recorded audiotapes and written transcripts resulting from the FBI's electronic surveillance of King between 1963 and 1968 are scheduled to be declassified.
Share