Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Order Events Starter Activity
The Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Timeline of Milestones
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, became one of history’s most influential leaders in the fight for civil rights. His life was marked by pivotal events that shaped his legacy and transformed the nation.
In 1953, Dr. King married Coretta Scott, a steadfast partner in his activism. Just two years later, on December 5, 1955, he emerged as a leader during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, organized after Rosa Parks’ arrest. This nonviolent protest against segregation marked the beginning of his national prominence. A year later, on November 13, 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court declared bus segregation unconstitutional, a major victory for the civil rights movement.
Recognizing the need for broader action, Dr. King co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) on January 10-11, 1957. This organization became a driving force for nonviolent protest across the South. During the Birmingham Campaign in 1963, Dr. King penned his iconic “Letter from Birmingham Jail” on April 16, defending civil disobedience and the urgency of equality.
On August 28, 1963, Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, inspiring millions with his vision of racial harmony. His activism contributed to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed into law on July 2, which outlawed segregation in public places. That same year, on December 10, Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest recipient at the time.
In 1965, Dr. King led the Selma to Montgomery marches, beginning with “Bloody Sunday” on March 7. This effort played a crucial role in the Voting Rights Act’s passage. His final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” delivered on April 3, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, expressed a deep awareness of his mortality. Tragically, he was assassinated the following day, April 4, 1968, leaving the world to mourn the loss of a visionary leader.
Dr. King’s life was a testament to courage, nonviolence, and justice, shaping a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Order the Events in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life
Enter the numbers 1-12 in the boxes to the left of the events, then click “Check Order” to see if you’re correct!
- Dr. King Wins the Nobel Peace Prize
- Leadership of Montgomery Bus Boycott Begins
- Dr. King’s Final Speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”
- Marriage to Coretta Scott
- Founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
- Dr. King’s Birth
- The Civil Rights Act is Signed
- “I Have a Dream” Speech at the March on Washington
- Selma to Montgomery Marches Begin (“Bloody Sunday”)
- Supreme Court Ends Bus Segregation
- “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Written
- Assassination of Dr. King
Go to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzles, Word Searches
Go to African American History CWs
Go to American History CWs
Go to US History Word Searches
Over 1,000 science and social studies resources, available in 3 reading levels, vetted by subject experts and contain zero ads. Let’s Do It
© 2025 Rudolph Academy
