President Elect Barack Obama is paying tribute to slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King as he vows to ‘revive the spirit of sacrifice to overcome war and economic crisis during his upcoming presidency.’

Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. King was 39 years old when he was killed at around 6pm as he stood on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee the date was April 04, 1968.

Dr. King was hit a single bullet, he died in the hospital.

The 40th anniversary of his death was marked last year. A recommitment march lead by King’s son, Martin Luther King III, and Reverend Al Sharpton through the city, highlighting Dr King’s ideals of social justice.

In 1955-56 he lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. His hard work led to the march on Washington, it was then on August 28, 1963, Dr. King this was when he delivered his “I have a dream’ speech.”

He spoke of his desire for a future where blacks and whites among others would happily co-exist as equals and helped raise public awareness of the civil rights movement.

He is believed to be one of the greatest speakers in US history and youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and was awarded both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously.

Martin Luther King Day was established as a national holiday in the US in 1986.

Dr King’s campaign to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means inspired millions of others and had far-reaching consequences even after his assassination 40 years ago.

“I Have A Dream Video“

SOURCES: GOOGLE IMAGES, Youtube