Activist
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott at age 26 and founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at 28.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929 and lived to age 39. Anyone born before 1929 is older than Martin. Anyone over 39 is older than Martin ever was.
Born
January 15, 1929
Atlanta, Georgia
World pop: ~2B
Died
April 4, 1968
World pop: ~3.6B
Martin's age at death
39
Your age
20
Are you older than Martin Luther King Jr.?
No — Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929. You were born in 2006, making you 77 years younger. Martin lived to age 39. You are currently 20, so you are not yet older than Martin was when he died.
At your age (20), Martin hadn't yet reached his first major milestone. Martin was 26 when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott — that's 6 years from now for you.
Martin's Life Timeline
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in a middle-class family and was influenced by his father's role as a pastor and his mother's strong sense of social justice. King excelled academically, eventually earning a doctorate in systematic theology from Boston University, which laid the foundation for his future leadership in the civil rights movement.
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King became a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement in the 1950s. He was 26 years old when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, which was a pivotal event in the struggle against racial segregation. In 1963, at the age of 34, he delivered his iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech during the March on Washington, which galvanized public support for civil rights legislation. His efforts contributed significantly to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
King's legacy as a champion of nonviolent resistance and social justice continues to resonate today. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at the age of 35 for his work in combating racial inequality through nonviolent means. Tragically, he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39, but his influence endures, inspiring generations to advocate for equality and justice worldwide.
Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Martin Luther King Jr. was 26 years old when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the American civil rights movement. This boycott was a response to the arrest of Rosa Parks and marked a significant step towards challenging racial segregation in public transportation.
Martin Luther King Jr. was 26 years old when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Are you older than Martin was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Martin Luther King Jr. was 28 years old when he founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This organization played a crucial role in coordinating nonviolent protests and advocating for civil rights across the southern United States.
Martin Luther King Jr. was 28 years old when he founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957. Are you older than Martin was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Delivered the I Have a Dream speech
Martin Luther King Jr. was 34 years old when he delivered the 'I Have a Dream' speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This speech is considered one of the defining moments of the civil rights movement and has had a lasting impact on American society.
Martin Luther King Jr. was 34 years old when he delivered the I Have a Dream speech in 1963. Are you older than Martin was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Won the Nobel Peace Prize
Martin Luther King Jr. was 35 years old when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to combat racial inequality through nonviolent means. This recognition highlighted his commitment to peaceful protest and his influence on the global struggle for human rights.
Martin Luther King Jr. was 35 years old when he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Are you older than Martin was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Assassinated in Memphis
Martin Luther King Jr. was 39 years old when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. His death was a tragic loss for the civil rights movement and sparked nationwide mourning and protests against racial injustice.
Martin Luther King Jr. was 39 years old when he assassinated in Memphis in 1968. Are you older than Martin was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by Year
| Year | Age | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 | 0 | |
| 1930 | 1 | |
| 1931 | 2 | |
| 1932 | 3 | |
| 1933 | 4 | |
| 1934 | 5 | |
| 1935 | 6 | |
| 1936 | 7 | |
| 1937 | 8 | |
| 1938 | 9 | |
| 1939 | 10 | |
| 1940 | 11 | |
| 1941 | 12 | |
| 1942 | 13 | |
| 1943 | 14 | |
| 1944 | 15 | |
| 1945 | 16 | |
| 1946 | 17 | |
| 1947 | 18 | |
| 1948 | 19 | |
| 1949 | 20 | |
| 1950 | 21 | |
| 1951 | 22 | |
| 1952 | 23 | |
| 1953 | 24 | |
| 1954 | 25 | |
| 1955 | 26 | led the Montgomery Bus Boycott |
| 1956 | 27 | |
| 1957 | 28 | founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference |
| 1958 | 29 | |
| 1959 | 30 | |
| 1960 | 31 | |
| 1961 | 32 | |
| 1962 | 33 | |
| 1963 | 34 | delivered the I Have a Dream speech |
| 1964 | 35 | won the Nobel Peace Prize |
| 1965 | 36 | |
| 1966 | 37 | |
| 1967 | 38 | |
| 1968 | 39 | assassinated in Memphis |
