The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was born 92 years ago today. When he was born Jan. 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr.’s name was Michael. It’s the name originally on his birth certificate.
He was named after his father, the Rev. Michael King, who was senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Michael King toured much of Germany, the country that is the birthplace of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. When he returned to Atlanta, the senior King decided to change his name and his son's from Michael to Martin Luther, after the German Protestant leader, according to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford.
Twitter users, including his children, Bernice King and Martin Luther King III, honored the civil rights leader on his birthday.
Today, on my father's birthday, we all celebrate his legacy -- one of peace and nonviolence. Today, I also remember a man who did everything he could to give me and my siblings a childhood full of joy, even in the face of hatred and violence. Happy birthday, Dad. #MLK pic.twitter.com/637prxq9I4
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) January 15, 2021
Happy birthday, Drum Major for Justice.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 15, 2021
Miss you, Daddy. #MLK 🖤🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/fWwIQYaGkW
I miss you.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 15, 2021
I’m grateful for your life.
I’m honored by your legacy.
I’m growing in your teachings.
Thank you, Daddy.
Happy Birthday in Forever. #MLK 🖤🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/0OhAazpz7M
The #Atlanta City Council recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today on his birthday. #MLK #MLKDay #BelovedCommunity pic.twitter.com/SNbES1TjHB
— Atlanta City Council (@atlcouncil) January 15, 2021
“Hatred confuses life;
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) January 15, 2021
love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life;
love illuminates it.”
–Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy birthday, #MLK. 🖤🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/2IYqVKKvhr
On this day, I’m reminded that MLK didn’t “give his life;” he was murdered. But now as an ancestor, he continues to walk with us in hopes that truth shall one day be “on the throne.”
— Rev. James Woodall (@iMajorWish) January 15, 2021
Happy Birthday to the Right Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/7ntgQxMgpT
Happy birthday King Martin Luther King @TheKingCenter Thank you for everything you did for all of us!! GA win 🎊🎉🎉🌹🌹🌹 @BerniceKing 💜💜
— L (@Suavay) January 15, 2021
Happy Birthday to our esteemed alumnus Martin Luther King Jr. of the Class of 1948!
— Stephen G. Brown (@brownmantx) January 15, 2021
“Let’s build bridges, not walls.” - MLK @ Morehouse College https://t.co/6zjfsZD28O
The wishes weren’t just from Atlanta, though. “Hamilton” creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted not just “Happy Birthday,” but also attached a song honoring King that has been taught in the elementary school he attended for years.
Happy Birthday, #MLKJR #FBF https://t.co/2f7oTAsDPi
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 15, 2021
“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 15, 2021
Today would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior’s 92nd birthday.
May his legacy endure forever. #MLK
"Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the existence of justice for all people." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Wishing a Happy Birthday to Civil Rights Leader Dr. King. pic.twitter.com/nKINgpejOZ
— COMMON (@common) January 15, 2021
Today is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday - he was a true American hero, visionary, and peaceful warrior. How will you honor his memory? Perhaps some service to your community? Recommitting yourself to equity and justice? Think about it.
— Lee Gonzales (He/Him) (@leegonzales) January 15, 2021
Today, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
— NPS Chesapeake Bay (@ChesapeakeNPS) January 15, 2021
Born Jan 15, 1929, King grew up to become one of the most renowned civil rights leaders in history. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, King led non-violent demonstrations in protest of racist laws that affected Black Americans. pic.twitter.com/zEUJDOv6fF
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