Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., minister, activist, and prominent leader in the civil rights movement, is remembered today for advancing civil rights through nonviolence. It has been more than 50 years since he was assassinated in 1968, but many Martin Luther King Jr. quotes and excerpts from his powerful speeches, sermons, and books remain just as relevant today (if not more so). He spoke wisely about equality, kindness, courage, change, forgiveness, and more — and his beliefs understandably still resonate with so many.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday marking Dr. King's birthday, is observed on the third Monday of January each year. King's actual birthday was January 15, 1929. This year, MLK day is on Monday, January 15, 2024.
From 1955 until his assassination, the Nobel Peace Prize winner participated in, helped organize, and led marches and nonviolent protests, including the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his now-famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
While many inspiring quotes are attributed to Dr. King, not all of them can be verified — and some are outright misattributed. To honor Dr. King's legacy and remember his contributions on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (and every day), we've compiled 37 of MLK's best quotes and included when he said them. Click the links to find more information on Dr. King, read full transcripts and hear recordings of his speeches, and learn more about the sentiments behind these important sayings.
Comments