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.