We all know about the "I Have A Dream" speech.  Many of us have even heard or read it in it's entirety.  Most of us know what inspired it and why it is so famous.  What else do we know about Dr. King?  In honor of the great visionary and civil rights leader, I share with you some insight into the man, before he had a dream.  

Popular Facts:

• In 1964, Dr. King was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.  But did you know he was the youngest to ever receive it?  He was only 35.

• He was voted Time Magazine's "Man Of the Year" on January 3, 1964.

• He studied Gandhi, to learn and understand the power of non-violent change.  Martin saw this method of non-violent resistance as the answer to the unfair treatment [African-Americans] received in America.

Lesser Known Facts:

• Martin Luther King Jr. skipped 9th and 12th grades in high school, graduating when he was 15.

• He graduated from college when he was 19.  He was the Senior Class President and won an award as the most outstanding student.

• From 1957 until his death in 1968, he traveled more than 6 million miles. He gave over 2500 speeches during his travels. He also wrote 5 books and had published countless numbers of articles in newspapers and magazines.

• According to a Gallup poll, King is the second most admired person in the 20th century.

• In a contest sponsored by the Discovery Channel, he was voted the 3rd Greatest American of all time.  

Quotes:

"Let no man pull you low enough to hate him."

"When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative. "

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."


And finally, did you know that the night before he was murdered, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered this speech?

"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

I think, like Gandhi, Dr. King strived to be the change he wished to see in the world.  He was a scholar, a visionary, a peacekeeper and non-violent activist.  He laid the ground work for many equal rights movements, not just for African Americans but for all Americans.