One of the facts about Martin Luther King Jr. that most people are unaware of: His birth certificate reads Michael King, an ode to his father, a former pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

1948 – Is ordained a Baptist minister. 1954 – Becomes the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. December 1, 1955 – Seamstress and civil rights activist Rosa Parks refuses to ...

Originally, Martin was not his first name, it was actually Michael — his father, Martin Luther King Sr.’s, name was also originally Michael but after a trip to Germany, he changed both Michaels to ...

January 19, 2026 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day. King’s actual birthday was on January 15. April 8, 1968 – Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) introduces legislation for a federal holiday to commemorate King, just ...

King’s father changed both of their names from Michael to Martin Luther in honor of the protestant reformer. Youngest person, at the time, to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Author of five books, published ...