His namesake is one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century

Michael J. King, a pastor from Atlanta in the American state of Georgia, traveled to Germany in 1934. While visiting Martin Luther's memorials, he was so impressed by Luther and the events of the Reformation that he changed his name to Martin Luther King. As a result, he renamed his five-year-old son Martin Luther King Junior.

Martin Luther King Jr. then become one of the twentieth century's most well-known leaders. He was the most prominent leader of the American Civil Rights Movement who made his efforts to fight against discrimination against African Americans in the United States. He also organized and led numerous protests for black voting rights, desegregation, labor rights, and other fundamental civil rights. His endeavors were finally rewarded when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were approved, and most of these rights became law.

On October 14, 1964, He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his peaceful opposition to racial injustice in the United States. He was the youngest person who received the award at the time, at the age of thirty-five.