Pop Quiz: 15 Things to Know About Martin Luther King, Jr.

Question: What were the professions of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s parents?

Answer: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s father, Martin Sr., was the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, and his mother, Alberta Williams King, was a schoolteacher.

Question: How did King's experience on a tobacco farm in Connecticut influence his views on racial segregation?

Answer: During his summer on a tobacco farm in Connecticut, King was shocked by the peaceful mixing of races in the North, which deepened his growing hatred of racial segregation.

Question: What was a notable achievement of King's during his time at Crozer Theological Seminary?

Answer: While studying at Crozer Theological Seminary, King was elected president of the student body, which was composed almost entirely of white students.

Question: What degree did King earn from Boston University?

Answer: Martin Luther King, Jr. received a Ph.D. in theology from Boston University in 1955.

Question: What incident from King's childhood involving his white playmates left a lasting impact on him?

Answer: When Martin Luther King, Jr. was six years old, his friendship with two white playmates was cut short by their parents, an incident he never forgot.

Question: Which of the following was a notable skill Martin Luther King, Jr. was renowned for?

Answer: Martin Luther King, Jr. was renowned for his public speaking skills.

Question: Who were the two influential figures that inspired Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolent resistance?

Answer: Martin Luther King, Jr. was inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Henry David Thoreau on nonviolent resistance, which shaped his approach to the civil rights movement.

Question: What event led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Answer: The Montgomery Bus Boycott was sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man, which was against local law at the time. Her arrest led to the formation of the Montgomery Improvement Association, with King as its leader.

Question: What was the purpose of King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail"?

Answer: King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was a response to white clergymen who questioned the timing of his efforts. In the letter, King defended the use of nonviolent direct action as a means to create tension and force communities to confront and negotiate racial issues.

Question: What famous speech did King deliver during the March on Washington?

Answer: During the March on Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his now-famous "I Have a Dream" speech, in which he expressed his hope for a future where all people would be treated as equals, regardless of their race.

Question: What was the result of the March on Washington in terms of legislation?

Answer: The March on Washington had a significant impact on national opinion and contributed to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed many forms of discrimination, including in publicly owned facilities and employment.

Question: In 1964, King became the youngest recipient of which prestigious award?

Answer: In 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at that time. He saw the award as not only a personal honor but also as an international tribute to the nonviolent civil rights movement.

Question: In addition to civil rights activism, what major political issue did King take a stand against?

Answer: King took a strong stand against the Vietnam War, believing that the resources spent on the war could be better used to combat poverty and discrimination. This stance was criticized by some who felt it diverted attention from civil rights issues.

Question: What was the final campaign King planned before his death?

Answer: Martin Luther King, Jr. planned the Poor People's Campaign, a march on Washington, D.C., in 1968 to highlight the relationship between poverty and urban violence. However, he was assassinated before he could take part in the march.

Question: Who was responsible for King's assassination?

Answer: Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated by a sniper, James Earl Ray, on April 4, 1968, while in Memphis, Tennessee. His assassination shocked the nation and led to rioting in many cities.