Historical Figure of the Moth - October 2013
Otto von Bismark (April 1, 1815 - July 30, 1898) - A master at using nationalism to his advantage Bismark is probably best known for uniting the independent German states (with the exception of Austria) into the country of Germany we know today. Bismarck was a statesman from the German state of Prussia and would go on to serve as the Chancellor of Germany under three German Monarchs from 1871-1890. Bismark was a champion of conservative politics and would harness the power of German nationalism to unite the states of Germany through tactics of provocation and war. Bismark was the President of Prussia from 1862-1890 and while leading Prussia he would create conflicts with his powerful neighbors in Austria and France. Through these conflicts Prussia would rise to power among the German states and in Europe. By creating these conflicts Bismark was also able to create a nationalist feeling among the Germanic people and would use these wars to unite all of Germany. Bismark would be the architect of the German Empire and even introduced universal male suffrage in Germany (although he had a firm grip on power and controlled all elected officials) but insisted on rule through "iron and blood".
Historical Figure of the Month - September 2013
Benedict Arnold (January 14, 1741 - June 14, 1801) - Born in Connecticut Benedict Arnold worked as a merchant operating shops on the Atlantic Ocean. When the colonies revolted against Great Britain and war broke out in 1775 he joined the American Continental Army and built a great reputation as a brave and cunning officer. He would move all the way up to the rank of Brigadier General and be a key contributor to the American victory at Fort Ticonderoga and recommend strategic moves at the Battle of Saratoga where the American forces would inflict heavy losses to the advancing British army. Arnold would grow frustrated and resentful towards the American Continental Army after being passed for future promotions and would eventually become the most infamous traitor in American history. Arnold offered to surrender the American fort at West Point which controlled the Hudson River Valley. This loss would have been a tremendous blow to the American war effort. Arnold's plot was foiled and he continued to fight for the British and eventually moving to London where he died in 1801.
Historical Figure of the Month - June 2013
Medgar Evers (July, 2 1925 - June 12, 1963) - Born in Decatur, Mississippi Medgar Evers would go on to serve his country in more ways than one. Evers would volunteer for the U.S. Army during WWII and even particpate in the D-Day invasion at Normandy. After the war Evers would become deeply entrenched in the Civil Rights movement joining the NAACP in 1952 as a field secretary.
Evers would be instrumental in encouraging African Americans in the state of Mississippi to join the Civil Rights Movement and getting the poor African American population to register to vote and continue to push for equality. Among Evers accomplishments was bringing light on the situation many African Americans still faced in the United States. He helped to compile evidence and witnesses for the Emmett Till murder case of 1955. Unfortunately his strong leadership and investigative abilities made him the target of white supremacists and in 1963 Medgar Evers was assassinated by white supremacists Byron De La Beckwith. In a case of supreme injustice two all white juries failed to find De La Beckwith guilty of Evers murder and he was let free. It wouldn't be until 1994 under pressure of Civil Rights leaders and Evers family that De La Beckwith was finally found guilty for the crime he committed nearly three decades earlier and was sentence to life in prison at the age of 73.
Evers would be instrumental in encouraging African Americans in the state of Mississippi to join the Civil Rights Movement and getting the poor African American population to register to vote and continue to push for equality. Among Evers accomplishments was bringing light on the situation many African Americans still faced in the United States. He helped to compile evidence and witnesses for the Emmett Till murder case of 1955. Unfortunately his strong leadership and investigative abilities made him the target of white supremacists and in 1963 Medgar Evers was assassinated by white supremacists Byron De La Beckwith. In a case of supreme injustice two all white juries failed to find De La Beckwith guilty of Evers murder and he was let free. It wouldn't be until 1994 under pressure of Civil Rights leaders and Evers family that De La Beckwith was finally found guilty for the crime he committed nearly three decades earlier and was sentence to life in prison at the age of 73.
Historical Figure of the Month - May 2013
Historical Figure of the Month - April 2013
Historical Figure of the Month - March 2013
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (August 30, 1797 - February 1, 1851) - The daughter philosophers who embraced radical thoughts inspired by the French Revolution and a desire to reform Europe, Mary Shelley would always hold the ideal of absolute sovereignty of the individual dear. She would marry Percy Shelley another radical thinker who she met through her father before writing her famous novel Frankenstein. The true meaning of Frankenstein is often debated with some feeling it was an elaborate metaphor for childbirth and others feeling it was Shelley's way of examining the danger, genius and responsibility of man.
It is said that she was inspired to write Frankenstein after being challenged by Lord Byron to tell the most frightening ghost story of all time. While Frankenstein may not have been intended as a pure horror story, one thing is for certain it is one of the most successful romantic works of all time.
It is said that she was inspired to write Frankenstein after being challenged by Lord Byron to tell the most frightening ghost story of all time. While Frankenstein may not have been intended as a pure horror story, one thing is for certain it is one of the most successful romantic works of all time.
Historical Figure of the Month - February 2013
Madam C.J. Walker (December 23, 1867 - May 25, 1919) - Born the daughter to former slaves in Louisiana Madam C.J. Walker would go on to build an empire with her line of black women's hair care and products. Madam C.J. Walker would not only become wildly successful after being born to very humble beginnings, but she would become the first American women to become a self-made millionaire!
Historical Figure of the Month - January 2013
Iva Toguri d'Aquino aka Tokyo Rose (July 4, 1916 - September 26, 2006) - Iva was an American citizen having been born in Los Angeles, California, but was in Japan at the time of the Pearl Harbor bombing. Iva became stranded in Japan because she did not have her passport. She would become an outsider both in Japan where she was distrusted because of her American citizenship and refusal to denounce the United States and in the United States for her work during WWII at a Japanese radio station where she would play American music and air propaganda of the Allied army movements and defeats. Iva was captured in 1945 and insisted that she didn't willingly broadcast the propaganda and actually aided the POWs who worked at the station. She was arrested in the UNited States for treason and sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Released in 1956 Toguri was immediately deported to Japan and didn't successfully clear her name until she was granted a pardon by President Gerald Ford in 1977. The POWs at the radio station were among the support Toguri had in her fight to be cleared of treason and allowed back in the United States.
Historical Figure of the Month - December 2012
John Lennon (October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980) - Most famous for being one of The Beatles and helping change the landscape of music and expectations of musicians forever, John Lennon was also very outspoken when it came to world politics and his role in social activism.
John Lennon would continue to push the envelope with his music and views while challenging authority until he was gunned down outside of his apartment in New York City.
John Lennon would continue to push the envelope with his music and views while challenging authority until he was gunned down outside of his apartment in New York City.
Historical Figure of the Month - November 2012
Tammy Baldwin (February 11, 1962 - Present) -
is the junior United States Senator from Wisconsin and a member of the Democratic
Party. She previously served as the U.S. Representative from Wisconsin's 2nd
congressional district from 1999 to 2013, as well as serving three terms in the
Wisconsin Assembly representing the 78th district.
Baldwin defeated her Republican opponent, former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson, in the 2012 U.S. Senate election. She is the first woman elected to represent Wisconsin in the Senate, and the first openly gay U.S. Senator in history. As of 2012, Baldwin's voting record placed her as one of the most liberal in Congress.
Baldwin defeated her Republican opponent, former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson, in the 2012 U.S. Senate election. She is the first woman elected to represent Wisconsin in the Senate, and the first openly gay U.S. Senator in history. As of 2012, Baldwin's voting record placed her as one of the most liberal in Congress.
Historical Figure of the Month - October 2012
"Wild Bill" James
Butler Hickok (May 27, 1837 - August 6, 1876) - James Hickok was born in Illinois and would
go on to become an American folk hero for his exploits as a gambler and lawman
in the American West. Wild Bill is one
of the most colorful characters from the “Wild West” period of American history
and this would lead to many true and exaggerated stories about his life. During Hickok’s time as a law man in Kansas
he would kill many men (36) and often lose his position as Marshall because he
was viewed to be using excessive force. Although
his excessive use of force may have lost him some positions it also contributed
to his fame as a marksman, and most likely would lead to his death in the
Dakota, Black Hills Territory town of Deadwood.
Wild Bill was shot in the back of the head while playing poker by Jack
McCall who claimed that Wild Bill had killed his brother while serving as
Marshall in Abilene, Kansas. The cards
in Wild Bill’s hand became known as the “dead man’s hand” and was made up of
two aces and two 8’s all black suits.
Historical Figure(s) of the Month - September 2012
The Little Rock Nine (September 25, 1957) -
Racial segregation was finally declared unconstitutional on
May 17, 1954 during the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Only five days later, the Little Rock Arkansas
School Board released a statement announcing that their school district would
comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling and begin to integrate their school
system. It is a lost fact that Arkansas
as a state was actually one of the more progressive states when it came to integration
in the South and actually already had integrated libraries and universities
before the event at Central High in Little Rock.
Central High School was the white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas while Horace Mann was the black high school. In 1957 the integration for Central High was set to take place and of the 517 black students who lived in the Central school district only 80 students expressed interest in attending Central High. Of those 80 only 17 were accepted to attend, but 8 of the 17 decided they felt more comfortable attending Horace Mann and we were left with “The Little Rock Nine”.
The Little Rock Nine would soon forge the way to integration but it would not be an easy path. On September 2, 1957 Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus called on the National Guard to surround the school and prevent the integration from happening. This standoff between Governor Faubus and the Little Rock Mayor Woodrow Mann who condemned his actions would continue until September 25 when President Eisenhower would send US troops to enforce the integration at the same time federalizing the Arkansas National Guard.
Although US troops would remain in the school for the whole school year the Little Rock Nine would continue to endure both verbal and physical assaults from some white students. Little Rock would not be fully integrated until 1972.
The Little Rock Nine –
Ernest Green – The only senior of the group (and first black student to graduate from Central High) would go on to attend Michigan State University and serve on the staff of President Jimmy Carter.
Elizabeth Eckford – Would join the US Army and become a journalist.
Jefferson Thomas – Jefferson would go on to become an accountant for the US Department of Defense.
Terrence Roberts – Dr. Roberts become a Clinical Psychologist and Professor at UCLA.
Carlotta Walls Lanier – Along with Jefferson Thomas and Ernest Green was one of the three to actually graduate from Central High School. She would also go on to attend school at Michigan State University.
Minnijean Brown Trickey – Was expelled from Central High for fighting back against her antagonists. She would go on to become a writer and social worker in Canada where she moved as a protest to the Vietnam War.
Gloria Ray Karlmark – Gloria would graduate from Illinois Technical College and became a well-known writer in the computer science field. She moved to Stockholm, Sweden and has been published in 39 countries.
Thelma Mothershed-Wair - Graduated from Southern Illinois University and became a teacher.
Melba Pattillo Beals – Went on to work for both People magazine and NBC as an author and journalist.
Central High School was the white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas while Horace Mann was the black high school. In 1957 the integration for Central High was set to take place and of the 517 black students who lived in the Central school district only 80 students expressed interest in attending Central High. Of those 80 only 17 were accepted to attend, but 8 of the 17 decided they felt more comfortable attending Horace Mann and we were left with “The Little Rock Nine”.
The Little Rock Nine would soon forge the way to integration but it would not be an easy path. On September 2, 1957 Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus called on the National Guard to surround the school and prevent the integration from happening. This standoff between Governor Faubus and the Little Rock Mayor Woodrow Mann who condemned his actions would continue until September 25 when President Eisenhower would send US troops to enforce the integration at the same time federalizing the Arkansas National Guard.
Although US troops would remain in the school for the whole school year the Little Rock Nine would continue to endure both verbal and physical assaults from some white students. Little Rock would not be fully integrated until 1972.
The Little Rock Nine –
Ernest Green – The only senior of the group (and first black student to graduate from Central High) would go on to attend Michigan State University and serve on the staff of President Jimmy Carter.
Elizabeth Eckford – Would join the US Army and become a journalist.
Jefferson Thomas – Jefferson would go on to become an accountant for the US Department of Defense.
Terrence Roberts – Dr. Roberts become a Clinical Psychologist and Professor at UCLA.
Carlotta Walls Lanier – Along with Jefferson Thomas and Ernest Green was one of the three to actually graduate from Central High School. She would also go on to attend school at Michigan State University.
Minnijean Brown Trickey – Was expelled from Central High for fighting back against her antagonists. She would go on to become a writer and social worker in Canada where she moved as a protest to the Vietnam War.
Gloria Ray Karlmark – Gloria would graduate from Illinois Technical College and became a well-known writer in the computer science field. She moved to Stockholm, Sweden and has been published in 39 countries.
Thelma Mothershed-Wair - Graduated from Southern Illinois University and became a teacher.
Melba Pattillo Beals – Went on to work for both People magazine and NBC as an author and journalist.
Historical Figure of the Month - August 2012
Pierre de Coubertin (January 1, 1863 – September 2, 1937) – Pierre de Coubertin was a French Aristocrat, staunch believer in education and sport and the father of the Modern Olympics we know today. Pierre was born into a wealthy family and he chose to pursue a career in education and often studied the impact of education and its relationship with sports. Pierre saw a distinct connection between education and the development of moral and social strength when coupled with sports. Perhaps it was his passion for physical education that led him down the path of what he is most noted and remembered for, reestablishing the Olympic Games. Pierre would serve as the President of the International Olympic Committee for 29 years. He is also the person who developed the Olympic flag and logo of the five rings. He also wrote the Olympic oath and motto. Although Pierre’s original proposal of a yearly Olympic style sporting event for amateur athletes wasn’t originally accepted, it soon would win favor and the first modern Olympics was held in Athens, Greece in 1896.
Historical Figure of the Month - July 2012
Thomas Jefferson (April 14, 1743 - July 4, 1826) - Thomas Jefferson is one of the “Founding Fathers” of the United States and the nation’s third president. Jefferson was born in Virginia the third son of ten children to a slaveholding planter and land surveyor. He would inherit his landmark home of Monticello and 5000 acres and his own slaves by the age of 21. Jefferson was highly educated and known as a leader of the Enlightenment in the United States. Perhaps best known for writing the Declaration of Independence with guidance of Enlightenment ideals put forth by John Locke. (Jefferson actually gave full credit to Locke when complimented for the Declaration, stating it was “pure Locke”). During Jefferson’s time as president the United States would purchase the Louisiana Territory and begin their expansion to the New American West. Jefferson also would be an ally of Napoleon against Great Britain, although his strategies to hurt British trade would backfire and hurt the United States economy and trade. Jefferson was also responsible with the help of James Madison for creating the Democratic-Republican Party that is still around today as the Republican Party. It is well known that Jefferson was a slave holder, but it is less known that he actually made attempts to pass laws to end slavery. These attempts were all rejected. He saw the practice as being on conflict with the ideals put forth in the American Revolution against Great Britain. Jefferson would go on to found the University of Virginia and also authorize the establishment of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Jefferson has consistently criticized for not doing enough to stop slavery and also praised as one of our greatest presidents, thinkers and leaders.
Historical Figure of the Month - June 2012
Jackie Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) – Jackie Robinson is famous for breaking the color barrier in professional sports on April 15, 1947. Major League Baseball had been segregated since the 1880s until Jackie was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Although baseball is just a game it was also an occupation and the most popular sport in the United States. The significance of Jackie’s feat cannot be lost on the impact it had on the United States society. Just seven years after Jackie Robinson helped desegregate Major League Baseball the nation would witness the ground breaking case in Topeka, Kansas Brown v. Board of Education. This was a monumental precursor to the civil rights movement that would take place in the United States through much of the 1950s and lasting up to the 1980s. Not only did Jackie make great contributions to the African American Civil Rights Movement he was also an outstanding ball player. His career numbers speak for themselves and he also played in six World Series and All Star Games. Something that may not be as well known about Jackie was that he didn’t stop breaking barriers after he made it to the Major League. He also became the first African American television analyst for baseball and the first African American vice-president of major corporation (Chock full o’Nuts). Perhaps the character and significance of what Jackie Robinson did for the Civil Rights Movement can be summed up by Martin Luther King Jr. who once said that Jackie was “a legend and a symbol in his own time”.
Historical Figure of the Month - May 2012
Pontiac (1720-1769) – Pontiac was the warrior Chief of the Ottawa tribe and is known as one of the greatest warriors in the history of the Americas. Chief Pontiac was able to unite rival tribes to combat the threat of the British movement into their lands. Known for his courage and honor, Pontiac assembled 60 tribes to confront the British settlers and attack the forts that were being built in the Western Frontier (Midwest). The organized attacks against the British were successful in capturing and destroying all British forts West of the Niagara Falls with the exception of Detroit. They resisted the British movement for 4 years before Pontiac was forced to sign a peace treaty on July 23, 1767.
Historian Howard Peckham summed up Pontiac’s uprising like this –
"Pontiac, dared to draw his bow against the British lion. It was no wanton gesture. He had a cause to defend, a dream of life as it should be, and gambling on the possibility of success, he struck in the manner he knew best. When he made his peace, he kept it and resigned himself to living with the invaders he could not eject. He typified the Indian attitude and empowered it with dignity, force and direction. The advancing frontier produced many worse examples of manhood, both red and white. He stood in our path for a moment and thrust us back, revealing the tragedy of his people and the cost of human progress."
Historian Howard Peckham summed up Pontiac’s uprising like this –
"Pontiac, dared to draw his bow against the British lion. It was no wanton gesture. He had a cause to defend, a dream of life as it should be, and gambling on the possibility of success, he struck in the manner he knew best. When he made his peace, he kept it and resigned himself to living with the invaders he could not eject. He typified the Indian attitude and empowered it with dignity, force and direction. The advancing frontier produced many worse examples of manhood, both red and white. He stood in our path for a moment and thrust us back, revealing the tragedy of his people and the cost of human progress."
Historical Figure of the Month - April 2012
Mikhail Gorbachev(March 2, 1931 – Present) – Mikhail Gorbachev was a bright student and easily worked his way up the political ladder in the Communist Party in his hometown of Stavropol in the Soviet Union. He would be elected the leader of the Stavropol party by 1970 and become a representative of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Gorbachev was known for his talent in technology and as a skilled reformer, this would lead him to a powerful position in the Soviet Union. By 1983 Gorbachev was in charge of the entire Soviet economy under the leadership of Yuri Andropov. Gorbachev would soon be appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party and would launch two programs that would forever change the Soviet Union. He instituted a policy of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) to help cure the Soviet economy, eradicate political corruption and created a more liberal society in the USSR. These policies would open the USSR up to the world and Gorbachev allowed political prisoners to be released, and people to emigrate in large numbers. He also ordered a reexamination of the Soviet history. By 1990 Mikhail Gorbachev would win the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in reducing the tensions between the East and West during the Cold War. Under Gorbachev the Soviet Union moved towards a democratic republic , saw the Communist Party dissolved, and freedom granted to the Baltic states that were part of the Soviet Union. Mikhail Gorbachev currently heads the Gorbachev Foundation, Green Cross International and the Civic Forum Movement.
Historical Figure of the Month - March 2012
Margaret Thatcher
(October 13, 1925 – Present) – Margaret Thatcher was the subject of the recent movie titled The Iron Lady and is our historical figure of the month for March. Margaret Thatcher originally went to Oxford University with the intentions of becoming a research chemist, but would soon set her sights on a career in politics. She would first join Parliament in 1959 as a junior minister for pensions, but her rise to power would be quick! By 1970 the Conservatives had taken power in the English Parliament and Margaret was appointed secretary for education during Edward Heath’s time as Prime Minister. She would eventually challenge Heath for power of the Conservative party and to the surprise of many she would win. Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister three straight times, and was nick named the “Iron Lady” by her rivals in the Soviet Union because of her strong support for free-market economies and distrust of communism. Margaret Thatcher is known for her advocacy of privatizing state-owned industry in Great Britain, reforming trade unions, lowering taxes and greatly reducing the government spending in Great Britain. During her time as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher succeeded in reducing inflation but suffered a large increase of unemployment. Margaret Thatcher retired from Parliament in 1992 and has since become a member of England’s highest order of knighthood the Order of the Garter. She is now know as Baroness Thatcher.
(October 13, 1925 – Present) – Margaret Thatcher was the subject of the recent movie titled The Iron Lady and is our historical figure of the month for March. Margaret Thatcher originally went to Oxford University with the intentions of becoming a research chemist, but would soon set her sights on a career in politics. She would first join Parliament in 1959 as a junior minister for pensions, but her rise to power would be quick! By 1970 the Conservatives had taken power in the English Parliament and Margaret was appointed secretary for education during Edward Heath’s time as Prime Minister. She would eventually challenge Heath for power of the Conservative party and to the surprise of many she would win. Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister three straight times, and was nick named the “Iron Lady” by her rivals in the Soviet Union because of her strong support for free-market economies and distrust of communism. Margaret Thatcher is known for her advocacy of privatizing state-owned industry in Great Britain, reforming trade unions, lowering taxes and greatly reducing the government spending in Great Britain. During her time as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher succeeded in reducing inflation but suffered a large increase of unemployment. Margaret Thatcher retired from Parliament in 1992 and has since become a member of England’s highest order of knighthood the Order of the Garter. She is now know as Baroness Thatcher.
Historical Figure of the Month - February 2012
Colin Powell
(April 5, 1937 – Present) – Gen. Colin Powell is well known for his leadership skills and is a respected man in the political and military communities. Gen. Powell’s ability to lead would be displayed throughout his career in the military and in his transition to politics. Gen. Powell would discover his path in life after joining the ROTC in college, from that point on he would sky rocket through the ranks and earn 11 military decorations, including the Legion of Merit. He earned the rank of Brigadier General and commanded a brigade of the famous 101st Airborne Division, before he would eventually become the military aide to the Secretary of Defense. By 1991 Gen. Powell would take the position as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and command the Army. This is the highest military position in the Department of Defense and he was the first and only African American to hold this position. Gen. Powell’s achievements wouldn’t stop there, in 2000 he would be appointed as Secretary of the State, which was the highest position an African American had ever help in the United States government until President Obama’s election.
(April 5, 1937 – Present) – Gen. Colin Powell is well known for his leadership skills and is a respected man in the political and military communities. Gen. Powell’s ability to lead would be displayed throughout his career in the military and in his transition to politics. Gen. Powell would discover his path in life after joining the ROTC in college, from that point on he would sky rocket through the ranks and earn 11 military decorations, including the Legion of Merit. He earned the rank of Brigadier General and commanded a brigade of the famous 101st Airborne Division, before he would eventually become the military aide to the Secretary of Defense. By 1991 Gen. Powell would take the position as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and command the Army. This is the highest military position in the Department of Defense and he was the first and only African American to hold this position. Gen. Powell’s achievements wouldn’t stop there, in 2000 he would be appointed as Secretary of the State, which was the highest position an African American had ever help in the United States government until President Obama’s election.
Historical Figure of the Month - January 2012
Martin Luther King
(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) – Dr. King was one of the predominate leaders of the Civil Rights movement in the United States and by 1955 Dr. Kind had orchestrated and led the first great non-violent protest/demonstration of the Civil Rights movement. The bus boycott lasted 382 days and ended with the Supreme Court of the United States declaring the segregation laws on buses unconstitutional. Throughout the boycott Dr. King endured personal abuse and bombings of his home. As Dr. King become a world figure he would be arrested 20 times, write 5 books, give over 2500 speeches and travel over 6 million miles to fight injustice for the African American people. Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize 1964 and donated all of the proceeds to the civil rights movement. Sadly Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee before he led a march in support of the striking garbage workers of Memphis.
(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) – Dr. King was one of the predominate leaders of the Civil Rights movement in the United States and by 1955 Dr. Kind had orchestrated and led the first great non-violent protest/demonstration of the Civil Rights movement. The bus boycott lasted 382 days and ended with the Supreme Court of the United States declaring the segregation laws on buses unconstitutional. Throughout the boycott Dr. King endured personal abuse and bombings of his home. As Dr. King become a world figure he would be arrested 20 times, write 5 books, give over 2500 speeches and travel over 6 million miles to fight injustice for the African American people. Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize 1964 and donated all of the proceeds to the civil rights movement. Sadly Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee before he led a march in support of the striking garbage workers of Memphis.