RR: 6 Little-Known Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.
What’s an “RR” Post?
One of those things we’re experimenting with on BBH is something I’m calling “Rerun” blog posts.
If you don’t know what those are and why I am doing them, then read this: Information Overload And The Invention Of Blog Post “Reruns” And “Marathons”.
This post originally appeared here on Martin Luther King Jr. day in 2015, but I liked the facts so much I thought I’d post them again this year…
Today we remember and celebrate a great man: Martin Luther King Jr.
Many of us know a lot about him, but you probably don’t know all of these 6 little known facts about him.
1. He Wasn’t Born With That Name
His name was, not originally Martin. It was Michael. His father was also Michael King, so why Martin Luther King Jr. was originally named Michael King Jr.
But after a trip to Germany in 1931, Michael King Sr. changed his own name in honor of the historic German theologian Martin Luther.
Michael King Jr. was two years old at the time so his Dad made the decision to also change his son’s name to Martin Luther.
2. Two Other Tragic Deaths Struck His Family
It was only a year after Dr. King was assassinated that his brother, A.D. King, who was also a beloved preacher and activist, was found at the bottom of a swimming pool.
If that wasn’t tragic enough, King’s mother, Alberta King, was killed at church on June 30, 1974 by an insane black man named Marcus Wayne Chenault.
3. He Skipped Two Grades
He skipped the 9th and 12th grades in school and entered Moorehouse College at only 15 years old.
4. His Name Is a Popular Name for Streets Across the U.S.
There are over 900 streets named after King spanning over 40 states in the U.S.
5. His Final Speech Predicted His Death
King came to Memphis in April 1968 to support the strike of the city’s black garbage workers. In a speech on the night before his assassination, he told an audience at Mason Temple Church, “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now … I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
6. He Was a Big Star Trek Fan
King was an hugr fan of Star Trek. He was such a big Trekkie that he even convinced Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura, to stay on the show past its first season.
Sources: History.com, TodayIFoundOut.com, BlackAmericaWeb.com, WPGD.CBSLocal.com, & HuffingtonPost.com
Photo from RolexBlog.Blogspot.com
Related article
- Martin Luther King Jr.: The Only Force That Can Make An Enemy A Friend (Motivational Business Quotes) (baybusinesshelp.com)
