Martin Luther King Jr.'s Success and Achievements in Timeline

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 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

April 13, 1944: King's First Public Speech

On April 13, 1944, during his junior year, King delivered his first public speech in an oratorical contest and won. On the bus ride home, he experienced racial discrimination when he and his teacher were forced to stand for white passengers.

1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott

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

1957: Awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP

In 1957, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.

March 7, 1961: Agreement on Desegregation of Lunch Counters

On March 7, 1961, a group of Black elders including Martin Luther King Jr. notified student leaders that a deal had been reached: the city's lunch counters would desegregate in fall 1961, in conjunction with the court-mandated desegregation of schools.

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.

1963: Time Person of the Year

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. was named Time Person of the Year.

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.

October 14, 1964: King wins Nobel Peace Prize

On October 14, 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance.

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: Civil Rights Act of 1964

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was legislated, achieving pivotal legislative gains in the civil rights movement.

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 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: American Liberties Medallion Award

In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the American Liberties Medallion by the American Jewish Committee for his exceptional promotion of human liberty.

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.

1966: Margaret Sanger Award

In 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Margaret Sanger Award by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

November 1967: Honorary Doctorate from Newcastle University

In November 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. received an honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from Newcastle University in the UK, becoming the first African American to be recognized by the institution in this way.

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.

1967: King Nominates Nhất Hạnh for Nobel Peace Prize

In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. nominated Thích Nhất Hạnh for the Nobel Peace Prize, praising his ideas for peace.

1968: Fair Housing Act of 1968

In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was legislated, achieving pivotal legislative gains in the civil rights movement.

1971: Cities and states start establishing annual holidays to honor King

Beginning in 1971, cities and states started establishing annual holidays to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

1971: Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Recording

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, honoring his legacy.

November 2, 1983: Federal Holiday Created

On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

January 20, 1986: First Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Observed for the first time on January 20, 1986, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day federal holiday took place.

1992: Holiday observation following 1992 George H. W. Bush proclamation

Following President George H. W. Bush's 1992 proclamation, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is observed on the third Monday of January each year.

1999: New Hampshire recognizes Martin Luther King Jr. Day

In 1999, New Hampshire was one of the last states to recognize the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

January 17, 2000: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observed in All Fifty U.S. States

On January 17, 2000, for the first time, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was officially observed in all fifty U.S. states.

2003: Posthumous Congressional Gold Medal

In 2003, Martin Luther King Jr. was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing his contributions.

2004: Congressional Gold Medal Awarded

In 2004, Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

September 9, 2016: King Canonized by Holy Christian Orthodox Church

On September 9, 2016, Martin Luther King Jr. was canonized by Archbishop Timothy Paul of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church. His feast day was set as April 4, the date of his assassination.