MLK Day Facts

Tracie Cooper • January 13, 2023

MLK's name was actually not Martin, it was Michael
MLK started college at age 15
His first speech at the Lincoln Memorial wasn't the "I Had a Dream" speech. His first speech there was May 17, 1957
MLK was imprisoned 29 times for civil disobedience
MLK had an assassination attempt September 20, 1958
MLK's mother was killed in a mass shooting at church
MLK day was established shortly after his assassination in 1968
He's the only American, other than Washington to have their birthday a national holiday
He was kicked out of first grade
One of his first job's was working for the newspaper