A. Traffic violations
B. Obstructing a sidewalk
C. Loitering
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
Answer: D. On various occasions, Dr. King was arrested for all of these minor infractions in several states throughout the South.
How Much Do You Know About MLK?
January 7, 2026
Celebrating a Civil Rights Icon
On January 19, Americans will celebrate the birthday of our most prominent civil rights leader -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A tireless activist, Baptist minister, and political philosopher, Dr. King continues to inspire a nation almost 60 years after his assassination. But how much do you actually know about MLK? Take our quiz and find out!
#1. Martin Luther King Jr. was jailed 29 times during his career, primarily for engaging in civil disobedience. What were the other charges?
In January 1956, he was arrested for driving five miles per hour over the speed limit; in May 1961, his offense was obstructing a sidewalk and parading without a permit; and in September 1958, he was arrested for loitering.
#2. How old was MLK when he entered college?
A. 12
B. 15
C. 17
D. 22
E. He never attended college.
Answer: B. As a youth, Martin performed so well in high school that he was accepted to Morehouse College at age 15.
He graduated four years later and went on to earn a doctorate in theology from Boston University at age 25. By the time he was 19, Martin had already earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. A year later, he graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. He went on to earn a doctorate in theology from Boston University at age 25.
#3. Ten years before his death, MLK survived another assassination attempt. Who was his attacker in the earlier attempt?
A. Thomas Hagan
B. Izola Curry
C. Sara Jane Moore
D. James Earl Ray
E. James Earl Jones
Answer: B. Izola Ware Curry was the 42-year-old mentally disturbed woman who stabbed MLK with a letter opener in 1958, while he was signing copies of his book, "Stride Toward Freedom," at a Harlem department store.
Thomas Hagen was the assassin of another civil rights leader—Malcolm X—who was shot in 1965 while addressing the Organization of Afro-American Unity in New York City. Sara Jane Moore, an unassuming San Francisco bookkeeper, raised a gun and fired at President Gerald Ford's head in 1975. James Earl Ray was convicted of assassinating Dr. King in 1968 (although the King family has consistently stated that they believe Ray was innocent).
James Earl Jones is a distinguished African-American actor of stage and screen. (But he has been confused with James Earl Ray. In 2002, a plaque intended for Jones at a Florida MLK celebration mistakenly displayed the inscription: "Thank you, James Earl Ray, for keeping the dream alive." Fortunately, the error was corrected before the presentation.)
#4. Dr. King was a prolific writer, authoring several inspirational books. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
A. "Strength to Love"
B. "The Trumpet of Conscience"
C. "Ninety-Five Theses"
D. "Why We Can't Wait"
E. "Stride Toward Freedom"
Answer: C. German theologian Martin Luther penned "Ninety-Five Theses" in 1517 to challenge the Catholic Church and launch the Protestant Reformation. Dr. King wrote all of the other books listed. (Interesting fact: MLK's father changed his son's name from Michael Luther King to Martin Luther King when the child was five years old, in honor of the Protestant reformer.)
#5. Which of the following awards did Dr. King receive?
A, Nobel Peace Prize
B. Presidential Medal of Freedom
C. Congressional Gold Medal
D. Grammy Award
E. All of the above
Answer: E. MLK received all of these awards, although all but one were awarded posthumously. In 1964, he received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 35 -- the youngest recipient at that time.
In 1971, three years after his death, Dr. King won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording, "Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam." The Presidential Medal of Freedom was bestowed on him in 1977, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.
#6. Who prompted MLK to talk about his "dream" during his 1963 iconic speech at the Lincoln Memorial?
A. Mahalia Jackson
B. Jesse Jackson
C. Jackie Robinson
D. Rosa Parks
E. His wife, Coretta Scott King
(Need a hint? Click the video below.)
Answer: A. While all of the people mentioned attended this transformative speech, it was the legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson who prompted Dr. King, "Tell them about the dream, Martin." King then disregarded his prepared notes and improvised the remainder of his historic speech.
And with that, a civil rights icon was born.
Sources:
Featured Image: Adobe, License Granted
Black History
Morehouse College
King Institute
TopTenz
Grammy.com
History.com
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