Major Contributions:
Helped to accomplish de-segregation of busses through peaceful boycott.

Worked toward the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Encouraged the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Martin Luther King Jr.: (1948 - 1968)

Change Through Peace
Martin Luther King Jr. is most remembered for his strength and determination which eventually helped to change opinions and laws about discrimination. By his religious views and through the study of Mahatma Gandhi’s example, Dr. King learned that injustice is most effectively changed by peaceful means.

De-segregation of Busses
His exceptional intelligence and prominence as a Baptist minister gave Dr.King the visibility to be in a position of influence. He was elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association on December 5, 1955(1). In this position he led a boycott against a bus system that had a black woman arrested for not giving up her seat to a white man. This boycott lasted over a year and eventually led to a district court ruling that racial segregation on city bus lines is unconstitutional.

Dr. King was selected as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which magnified his activity in the civil-rights movement. He emphasized peaceful protest for positive change. King was jailed and released on several occasions as a result of the protests he led against discrimination.

Change By Law
Martin Luther King Jr. traveled extensively giving speeches against racial discrimination. He encouraged a greater black vote, and influenced laws to make it easier to vote. His efforts centered on equal rights which led to the enactment of the Civil Right Act of 1964 which outlawed discrimination based on color, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Nobel Peace Prize
King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his outstanding accomplishments and insistence on peaceful change (2).

King's Death
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated as he stood on the balcony of a motel room on April 4, 1968.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is declared a public holiday at the hand of President Ronald Reagan on January 18, 1986.

- Article by Wes Fessler

MORE HOLIDAYS at Family Fun Shop
New Year's Day	Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Groundhog Day
Lincoln's Birthday	Valentine's Day	Presidents' Day
Washington's Birthday	Saint Patrick's Day	Easter
Mother's Day	Armed Forces Day	Memorial Day
Flag Day	Father's Day	Independence Day
Labor Day	Columbus Day	Halloween
Veteran's Day	Thanksgiving Day	Christmas

References:

1. The King Center.  “Chronology of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
http://www.thekingcenter.com/mlk/chronology.html [Accessed 21 June 2007]

2. Nobelprize.org            “Martin Luther King.”
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html

* Some information also inferred from:
MSN Encarta            “Martin Luther King, Jr.”
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557424_2/Martin_Luther_King.html