Little Known Martin Luther King Jr Facts

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on Little Known Martin Luther King Jr Facts.  Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. is one of the most iconic figures in American History.  MLK Jr. was a minister, civil rights leader, husband, father, brother and Uncle.  But, there are other facts about his life that few people know, especially our youth.

Little Known Martin Luther King Jr Facts:   

• Martin Luther King Jr. attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.  Started college at the young age of 15 and graduated at age 19 with a Bachelor’s degree. He skipped grades 9 and 12.
• When he was 5 his father, a pastor and missionary, changed his name to Martin Luther King, Jr.  His name was initially Michael King, Jr.  However, after a family trip to Germany he was named after Martin Luther, a German Protestant Reformer.  His father, Michael King, Sr., also changed his name.
• He loved Star Trek.

• Martin Luther King Jr. attempted suicide after his grandmother passed away.  He jumped out a two story building.
• He and his wife, Coretta Scott King, spent their honeymoon at a friend’s funeral parlor.  Unfortunately, there weren’t many places for people of color to honeymoon.
• Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to be a doctor or lawyer before he became a Civil Rights Activist and Minister.
• Martin Luther King died at the age of 39.  However, doctor’s said he had the heart of a 60 year old.  Heart Disease had affected his health.   
• Martin Luther King is still the youngest male to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.  He received the honor at age 35.
• A mentally ill woman stabbed him in the chest when he was at a book signing.   The stabbing almost killed him.
• He received his Ph.D. degree in 1955 from Boston University.

• Alberta Williams King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s mother, was shot and killed while playing the organ at a Sunday service at Ebenezer Baptist Church.  The killer intended to kill, Martin Luther King Sr., but Mrs. King was closer, so he killed her.
• While in seminary school, Martin Luther King got a C in public speaking his first year.  However, he graduated valedictorian with an A in public speaking.
• Martin Luther King Jr. was told that he couldn’t play with his white friend anymore.  Sadly, his white friend’s father wouldn’t allow them to play together.
• The famous singer, Mahalia Jackson, encouraged Martin Luther King Jr. to speak about “The Dream”.  So, he changed his speech to the I Have a Dream Speech hours before he went to the podium.
• Approximately 250,000 people gathered to hear Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream Speech at the Lincoln Memorial.  It is now the most popular speech in history.
• Martin Luther King Jr’s younger brother accidentally drowned July 21, 1969.  Alfred Daniel Williams King was 38 years old at the time of his death.

I hope that you find these Unknown Martin Luther King Jr Facts for kids beneficial.  You can download the fact sheet here.  It’s  perfect for homeschooling or an addition to a Black History lesson plan.  You may also like Martin Luther King National Park.