Martin Luther King Jr. is an iconic figure of the civil rights movement. His influence during the 1950s and 1960s led to key moments that defined the era, including impassioned speeches and marches through dangerous territory. Readers explore his life story, from birth to death, examining the ways he worked for social justice and civil equality in America. Through the use of historical photographs, sidebars, fact boxes, and critical thinking questions, readers will comprehend the civil rights era as witnessed through the eyes of one of its most beloved and brave leaders.