Young Martin's Big Dreams

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in a big yellow house in Atlanta, Georgia. At birth, his parents named him Michael, but he later became known as Martin. He grew up in a loving family with his parents, an older sister named Christine, and a younger brother named A.D. His father was a well-known minister at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Young Martin, whom his family called "M.L.," spent much of his time at the church, listening to powerful speeches and singing songs.

M.L. was a bright and curious boy who loved to play. One of his favorite things to do was play baseball and football with the neighborhood children. He had two close friends who lived across the street. They played together every day for years. However, when it was time to start school, something changed. Martin was sent to a school for Black children, and his friends were sent to a school for white children. One day, the parents of his friends told him he could no longer play with them because he was Black. This made Martin very sad and confused.