How Much Do You Know About Martin Luther King?

1. Where did Martin Luther King give his famous 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech?

During the March on Washington

When he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize

During the Birmingham Bus Boycott

Martin Luther King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington in Washington, D.C., and was attended by 250,000 people. King's speech remains one of the most famous in American history.

Explanation

Martin Luther King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington in Washington, D.C., and was attended by 250,000 people. King's speech remains one of the most famous in American history.

2. Which of these quotations is by Martin Luther King?

"You're either part of the solution or part of the problem."

This is part of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The first quotation ("I am America..." ) is by boxer and activist Muhammad Ali and the second is by Black Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver.

Explanation

This is part of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The first quotation ("I am America..." ) is by boxer and activist Muhammad Ali and the second is by Black Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver.

3. Who assassinated Martin Luther King?

James Earl Ray

Sirhan Sirhan

Mark Chapman

Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis by James Earl Ray, a career criminal and virulent racist.

Explanation

Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis by James Earl Ray, a career criminal and virulent racist.

4. What world-famous prize was Martin Luther King honored with?

The Nobel Prize in Literature

The Nobel Peace Prize

The Pulitzer Prize

At age 35, King became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Explanation

At age 35, King became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

5. Martin Luther King was the leader of which organization?

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Society (SNCC)

The Nation of Islam

The SCLC, which King founded along with Charles K. Steele and Fred L. Shuttlesworth, was a major force in organizing the civil rights movement.

Explanation

The SCLC, which King founded along with Charles K. Steele and Fred L. Shuttlesworth, was a major force in organizing the civil rights movement.

6. In 1963, Martin Luther King was arrested and jailed during anti-segregation protests in Birmingham, Alabama. What famous work did he write during that time?

Why We Can't Wait

Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community

Letter From Birmingham City Jail

Martin Luther King wrote his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," which argued that individuals have the moral duty to disobey unjust laws.

Explanation

Martin Luther King wrote his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," which argued that individuals have the moral duty to disobey unjust laws.

7. Martin Luther King was best known for his philosophy of:

Black nationalism

Civil disobedience

Socialism

King advocated civil disobedience, the non-violent resistance against unjust laws.

Explanation

King advocated civil disobedience, the non-violent resistance against unjust laws.

8. Martin Luther King received a Ph.D. from Boston University in what field?

Political science

Theology

History

Martin Luther King graduated from Morehouse College (B.A., 1948), Crozer Theological Seminary (B.D., 1951), and Boston University (Ph.D., 1955).

Explanation

Martin Luther King graduated from Morehouse College (B.A., 1948), Crozer Theological Seminary (B.D., 1951), and Boston University (Ph.D., 1955).

9. Which of these major events first distinguished Martin Luther King as an important civil rights leader?

The March on Washington

Brown v. Board of Education

The Montgomery Bus Boycott

In 1955, 26-year-old Martin Luther King led the boycott of segregated Montgomery buses.

Explanation

In 1955, 26-year-old Martin Luther King led the boycott of segregated Montgomery buses.

10. The city in which Martin Luther King was born has numerous memorials and historical landmarks associated with him—what city is it?

Memphis

Detroit

Atlanta

Martin Luther King was born in Atlanta. The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site and the King Center are located there. You can also visit the house in which he was born and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he served as pastor.

Explanation

Martin Luther King was born in Atlanta. The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site and the King Center are located there. You can also visit the house in which he was born and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he served as pastor.