“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” One the most famous speeches in American history, given by Martin Luther King Jr. one of the most influential men in history. The assassination of this great figure shook the nation to its roots. He is now remembered today through the national holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Biography) Martin Luther King Jr. was born in January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia and was given the name Michael Luther King Jr. When he was thirteen, his grandfather (whom King was very close with) passed away. After this traumatic experience King attempted suicide, but luckily he was stopped (Biography). He attended segregated schools until he graduated in 1944 at the age of 15. (Nobel Prize). King then went to a university to study medicine and law. King was also elected class president of a white senior class (History). After years of study, he received his Phd at the age of 25 (Biography). It looked like he had a bright future ahead of him. King returned home to assist his father in the ministry. When he was there, King was heavily influenced by the fact that all the people there …show more content…
He was standing upon his balcony when a man shot him. King died there on that balcony. The whole country wept for the loss of its most well known activist. Riots started across the country as people were angered after the search for the killer ended in nothing. Eventually a man named James Earl Ray confessed to the murder of King and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Many people recognized Martin Luther King Jr as a great man, one of these people was the president who made Martin Luther King Jr day a federal holiday in 1983. This holiday was first celebrated in 1986 and now it helps us to remember the man who made all the races equals.