A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Martin Luther King Jr..
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.
1950: Desegregation in Alabama
In the late 1950's, the Creek in Alabama were trying to desegregate schools. Through King's intervention the problem was quickly resolved.
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1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott
In 1955, King oversaw the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a significant event in the civil rights movement protesting segregation on public transportation.
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1957: Awarded Spingarn Medal
In 1957, King was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.
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March 7, 1961: Desegregation Deal Reached
On March 7, 1961, King and a group of Black elders notified student leaders that a deal had been reached for the city's lunch counters to desegregate in fall 1961.
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August 28, 1963: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
On August 28, 1963, King, 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.
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1963: Time Person of the Year
In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. was named Time Person of the Year.
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October 14, 1964: Nobel Peace Prize
On October 14, 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial inequality.
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1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
In 1964, King organized and led marches for civil rights, many of which were successfully enacted into law with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, marking a pivotal legislative gain for the civil rights movement.
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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.
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1964: King's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance
When receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, King hailed the "successful precedent" of using nonviolence.
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March 7, 1965: Bloody Sunday in Selma
On March 7, 1965, the first attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery was violently suppressed by mob and police forces, an event known as "Bloody Sunday". King was not present.
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March 25, 1965: Selma to Montgomery March Concludes
On March 25, 1965, the march from Selma to Montgomery concluded at the state capitol, where King delivered his "How Long, Not Long" speech, emphasizing the inevitability of equal rights for African Americans.
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1965: Selma to Montgomery Marches
In 1965, King helped organize two of the three Selma to Montgomery marches, advocating for voting rights during the Selma voting rights movement.
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1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965
In 1965, King organized and led marches for civil rights, many of which were successfully enacted into law with the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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1967: King Nominates Thích Nhất Hạnh for Nobel Peace Prize
In 1967, King nominated Thích Nhất Hạnh for the Nobel Peace Prize, praising his ideas for peace and contributions to world brotherhood.
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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.
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1968: Fair Housing Act of 1968
In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was passed, representing a further legislative achievement for the civil rights movement.
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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.
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1971: Establishment of annual holidays
Beginning in 1971, cities and states established annual holidays to honor King.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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1999: New Hampshire recognizes the holiday
In 1999, New Hampshire recognized Martin Luther King Jr. day.
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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.
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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.
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2003: Posthumous Congressional Gold Medal
In 2003, Martin Luther King Jr. was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, further honoring his legacy.
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2004: Congressional Gold Medal
In 2004, Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
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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.
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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".
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