Today is Martin Luther King, Jr Day.
Born on January 15, 1929, King would become an American Baptist minister and activist who be the most visible spokesman and leader in the American civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968.
His leadership was fundamental to ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the United States. Dr. King rose to national prominence as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which promoted nonviolent tactics to achieve civil rights, such as the March on Washington in 1963.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
In 1961 he sat down to speak of his life, leadership, and his non-violent approach with the BBC.
We share excerpts from that interview with BBC correspondent John Freeman and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
