Martin Luther King Jr.

### Awards

Nobel Peace Prize (1964, 1995)Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977)Congressional Gold Metal (2004)

### Website

thekingcenter.org

**Martin Luther King Jr.** (January 15, 1929 – Present) is an American civil rights leader and politician, who is best known for his non-violent activism and for his contributions to the advancement of civil rights in the United States along with his Presidency in 1993-2001. A Baptist minister, King is most famous for his involvement in the civil rights movement of the 1960s and his leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

## Civil Rights

King's efforts towards achieving civil rights for African Americans was met with much resistance and violence. However, his unwavering commitment to non-violence and his willingness to continue to push for change in the face of adversity ultimately led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These acts outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and provided federal oversight of voting rights. King's work has been widely recognized and honored, including a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

## Georgia Governorship

Following the success of the civil rights movement, King moved towards becoming a more active political participant. In 1983, he was elected Governor of Georgia and served until 1991. During his time as Governor, King focused on improving economic opportunities for African Americans and increasing public education funding. He also led the state in creating the Georgia Adoption of Minorities Commission. This commission was tasked with increasing the number of African Americans in public office, increasing access to higher education and providing job training for those who were underemployed.

## Presidency

King was the first African American Governor of Georgia and was the first African American President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. During his time as President, King worked towards improving the education system, ending discrimination in the workplace, and improving the economy. He also worked to ensure that the civil rights of minorities were protected.

King's Presidency was marked by numerous accomplishments. In 1995, he signed into law the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provided employees with 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, a serious illness, or a family member's serious illness. He also signed the Community Reinvestment Act, which provided financial support to local communities in order to increase homeownership and job training opportunities.

Under King's guidance, the United States saw a growth in the economy, an increase in the number of jobs, and a decrease in poverty. In addition, he worked to promote international peace and security by signing treaties with Russia, China, and other nations.

King's Presidency has been seen as a success, with many praising his commitment to civil rights and his work to improve the economy. His legacy lives on today in the form of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C., which was dedicated in 2011. He is also remembered for his commitment to non-violence and his dedication to achieving justice and equality for all.