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Early Life

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, as the middle child in his family. Growing up, the King household sought to shield their children from the harsh realities of racism. Despite their efforts, Martin Jr. became deeply aware of the racial injustices in the world around him. Raised in a Christian environment, he believed that racism and segregation were against God’s will. His father, Martin Luther King Sr., took on the role of minister at an Atlanta church following the death of his father-in-law in 1931.

King began attending public school in Atlanta at the age of five. A significant event occurred when he was 12 years old: his beloved grandmother passed away from a heart attack. The loss devastated him, particularly as it happened while he was away from home. The grief was so overwhelming that King attempted suicide by jumping from a second-story window, an act that highlighted the depth of his sorrow.

Educational Journey and Spiritual Struggles

As a student, Martin Luther King Jr. excelled academically. He was such a gifted student that he skipped both the ninth and eleventh grades, allowing him to enter college at the young age of 15. Popular among his peers, particularly the female students, King was also grappling with deep religious questions during this time. Although his family was deeply religious and involved in ministry, King began to have doubts about his faith and considered not following in his father’s footsteps.

However, as he matured, King experienced a change of heart. He ultimately decided to embrace the ministry, a decision he communicated to his father, marking the beginning of his journey as a leader in the fight for civil rights.

The Fight for Civil Rights and the “I Have a Dream” Speech

In the spring of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. organized a massive demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama. Entire families joined in this peaceful protest against segregation. However, the demonstration met with fierce resistance. The police responded with brutality, using dogs and fire hoses on the protesters. The event garnered national attention, and King, along with many supporters, was arrested. It was during his time in jail that King solidified his philosophy of nonviolence as a powerful tool for social change.

Later that year, King organized one of the most significant events in American history: the March on Washington. On August 28, 1963, over 200,000 people gathered to demand equality and justice. It was here that King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, a moment that would define the civil rights movement and inspire generations to come.

Assassination

Despite his many accomplishments, the slow progress of civil rights in America, combined with constant death threats, took a toll on Martin Luther King Jr. On April 4, 1968, while planning a new march, King was staying at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. As he stood on the balcony, he was struck by a sniper’s bullet, ending his life. A two-month manhunt ensued before the assassin was captured, marking a tragic end to the life of a man who had dedicated himself to peaceful change.

Related Reading on Martin Luther King Jr.

For those interested in exploring more about Martin Luther King Jr., here are some recommended books:

• The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. by Martin Luther King Jr.
• Why We Can’t Wait by Martin Luther King Jr.
• Letter from the Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.

Early Life

Abraham Lincoln was born in a modest log cabin in Kentucky, the second of three children. He had an older sister named Sarah and a younger brother, Thomas, who tragically died in infancy. Due to political unrest in their homeland, Lincoln’s family was forced to relocate to Perry County. They initially “squatted” on land with no legal claim until his father, Thomas, managed to purchase the property, providing the family with a legal home.

At the age of nine, Lincoln faced the heartbreaking loss of his mother, who succumbed to milk sickness. This left young Abraham, his father, and his sister to navigate life in the rugged wilderness. Despite these hardships, Lincoln was determined to educate himself. He only attended formal schooling for a few weeks at a time, but his thirst for knowledge led him to walk miles just to borrow books. Of all the books he read, the family Bible held a special place in his heart.

Entering Politics

Lincoln’s initial foray into politics was brief. He served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849. During this time, he spoke out against the Mexican-American War, a stance that made him unpopular in his home state. His short tenure in Congress left little impact, but it was just the beginning of his political journey.

Lincoln and the Law

In the 1850s, as the railroad industry expanded westward, Lincoln worked as an attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad. He gained a reputation for his legal acumen, successfully handling numerous cases. One of his most famous cases involved defending a suspect against the testimony of a witness who claimed to have seen the suspect in the bright moonlight. Lincoln’s cross-examination of the witness, questioning the reliability of her account, led to the suspect’s acquittal.

Lincoln’s personal life was marked by both joy and sorrow. He was engaged more than once before finally marrying and having four children. However, only one of his sons survived to adulthood, a source of profound sadness for Lincoln and his wife.

The Civil War and the Fight Against Slavery

As President, Lincoln faced the monumental challenge of the Civil War. He made the bold decision to allocate $2 million in support of the war effort without waiting for Congress’s approval, demonstrating his commitment to preserving the Union. As the war progressed favorably, Lincoln seized the opportunity to redefine its purpose, turning it into a fight to abolish slavery.

Assassination and Legacy

Tragically, Lincoln’s life was cut short on April 14, 1865, when he was assassinated by well-known actor John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln lingered in a coma for nine hours at the nearby Peterson House before passing away the following morning. His body was transported by train to Springfield, Illinois, where he was laid to rest.

Related Reading on Abraham Lincoln

For those interested in learning more about Abraham Lincoln, here are some highly recommended books:

• Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
• Lincoln by David Herbert Donald
• Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson
• Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America by Garry Wills
• Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
• Lincoln’s Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural by Ronald C. White Jr.
• Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution by James M. McPherson
• Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief by James M. McPherson
• Speeches and Writings, 1859-1865 by Abraham Lincoln
• Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times by Donald T. Phillips