Martin Luther King Research Paper

“If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live” (qtd. by “Martin Luther King Quotes”). 205 feet away, James Earl Ray lined up his Remington pump rifle and took meticulous aim. Suddenly, he fired multiple times, but it took only one bullet to pierce the neck and sever the life of one of the most influential people America has ever seen. On April 4th, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia (Jakoubek 10). He graduated college at the young age of 18 and married Coretta Scott, who blessed him with four children: Yoland, Martin, Dexter, and Bernice (Schulke 80-84). He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and is most remembered for his world renowned “I Have a Dream” speech given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (“Martin Luther
Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance” (qtd. by Jakoubek 11). King not only used his gift with words to promote nonviolence, but he was also exceptionally involved in educating the masses. In early 1947, King wrote The Purpose of Education, published in Morehouse College’s newspaper, the Maroon Tiger. King’s theme was that education required not only reasoning ability but also character and moral development. “Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education” (qtd. by Jakoubek 25). Also, in 1964, King received the John Dewey Award from the United Federation of Teachers. “The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education, which stops with efficiency, may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals” (qtd. by “The Answer Sheet”). King taught both students and adults about ethics and the importance of education, which are essential factors in every person’s