Connection between Martin Luther and Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1934, Michael, a Baptist minister from Georgia visited Germany for the Baptist World Alliance Congress. He along with several other black preachers visited the Holy Land before coming to Berlin for the gathering with other Baptists. Germany proved to be a charming place with many old historical sites, castles, and renowned past heroes of the faith. The Baptist minister especially enjoyed learning about Martin Luther the famous monk who started the Protestant Reformation. The clouds of unrest were gathering in Germany after the rise of Hitler in 1933. Michael realized that prejudice was known in Europe too. Those meeting at the Baptist World Alliance conference made a resolution stating, “This Congress deplores and condemns as a violation of the law of God the Heavenly Father, all racial animosity, and every form of oppression or unfair discrimination toward the Jews, toward colored people, or toward subject races in any part of the world.” Despite this he thoroughly enjoyed his travels. When he got home he chose to change his name from Michael to Martin Luther after the brave German reformer who inspired him. He also changed the name of his oldest son. Who did his son grow up to be?

Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born as Michael King Jr. on January 15, 1929. He became the leader of a peaceful approach to gaining civil rights. In 1963 he gave a now famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. It became known as the ‘I Have a Dream Speech.’ He said, “So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . . . I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Tragically he was assassinated in 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January.

Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. in Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History (Section 30 – Lesson 2).