One famous American was Martin Luther King Jr. He was a leader in the American Civil Rights Movement.
He was born in Atlanta in 1922. He went to school at Morehouse College and studied religion. After college, he became a Baptist minister.
In the South at this time, there were unjust laws that kept blacks and whites separate. (This is called racial segregation.) Martin hated these laws. He wanted racial equality. He dreamed of a better, more perfect America.
Martin began protesting these laws and speaking out against injustice. He was attacked by people who did not believe in racial equality. He was also arrested and put in jail.
On August 28, 1963 he delivered his most famous speech, the "I have a dream speech" to over 250,000 people in Washington, D.C.
In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act. This act ended racial segregation in America. Black people are finally allowed to vote.
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. died. He was assasinated (murdered).
He was truly a great American!
Resources:
Voice of America biography
Pictures of Martin Luther King Jr.
Questions:
1. What did Martin Luther King Jr. believe in?
2. Why did he choose to fight for racial equality?
3. Why was Martin Luther King Jr. a great American?
4. Is there still racism in America today? Describe what ways you see it.
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