ML, as he was called, first experienced racial discrimination when their white neighbours refused to let him play with their children.

At a later time he and his father were asked to move to the back of a shoe store to be fitted with shoes. They left without buying anything. These early incidents made a deep impression on the young King.

On one occasion King and his teacher were riding on a bus. When the bus filled up with people, the driver asked them to stand up and let two white people have their seats. It was the law. King saw the injustice of it and never forgot it.

While studying at Boston University, King met Coretta Scott, who would become his wife. They would eventually have four children; two boys and two girls.

Image: King speaking during the 1963 Civil Rights March to Washington, DC.
Photograph: National Archives