Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement, known for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance against racial prejudice and discrimination. Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, to parents Michael King Sr. and Alberta King, he was deeply influenced by his father's involvement in civil rights activism. King's early life was marked by exposure to racial segregation and discrimination, which fueled his determination to fight for equality.

King's leadership in the civil rights movement began with his involvement in the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955, sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks. He later became the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and played a key role in organizing various protests and marches, including the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Throughout his activism, King faced opposition from segregationist authorities and endured multiple arrests. He also became a target of FBI surveillance, with J. Edgar Hoover considering him a radical and subjecting him to covert investigations.

In addition to his civil rights work, King expanded his focus to include opposition towards poverty and the Vietnam War in his later years. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts in combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance.

Tragically, King's life was cut short when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. His death sparked national mourning and led to riots in many U.S. cities. King's legacy lives on through numerous honors and memorials, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, established as a federal holiday in 1986.

Despite his untimely death, King's message of equality, nonviolence, and social justice continues to inspire movements for civil rights and racial equality worldwide.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.