About Dr. King
Martin Luther King Jr. (Jan. 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968) dedicated his life to the nonviolent struggle for racial equality in the United States. The third Monday in January marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. holiday that honors King’s legacy and challenges citizens to engage in volunteer service in their communities.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was officially recognized in 1983. This acknowledgement was 15 years after his death. He was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Morehouse College at the age of 15, and went on to earn his doctorate at Boston University. He was a Baptist minister, married with 4 children.
He was a common man with a general message of love. He was mentored by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and utilized the idea of civil disobedience to mobilize the Civil Rights Movement. He first became involved in the movement through the bus boycotts of 1955. He is famously known for the Aug. 28, 1963 March on Washington (for Jobs and Freedom) where the “I Have a Dream Speech" was delivered. He was imprisoned nearly 30 times and lead many other many notable protests including:
- Montgomery Bus Boycott
- The Albany Movement
- The Birmingham Campaign
- Bloody Sunday
- Chicago
- Vietnam War Opposition
- Poor People’s Campaign
His life would come to a tragic end on April 4, 1968 as he was murdered on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel, Memphis, Tenn. We stand steadfast not to let his message or his movement see the same fate. His funeral is often regarded due to him delivering his own eulogy. His grave rests on the grounds of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. The celebration of his life is a celebration of humanity.
Fitchburg State is committed to the message of love and to a movement of nonviolent actions that will stand strong and forever shape this country and the international stage.
Additional Resources
We charge you to continue your own education and awareness of the Martin Luther King, Jr. by visiting The King Center. Learn about the six principles of nonviolence:
- Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people
- Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding
- Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people
- Nonviolence holds that suffering for a cause can educate and transform people and societies
- Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate
- Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice
Our celebration will continue in February with the university's observance of Black History Month.
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?
Everyone can be great, because anybody can serve.