Martin Luther King was born in Atlanta in 1929 at a time when there was segregation between white people and African Americans in the Southern States of America. This meant that Martin and other African Americans were treated as second-class citizens and were forced to go to separate schools, churches and sit at the back of buses. Seeing the unfairness of this, Martin spent his life changing the practices and laws in America so that his people became equal citizens. He was a leading figure of the Civil Rights movement that fought to improve their lives. Martin led the Montgomery bus strike that changed the law to allow African Americans to sit at the front of buses like their white neighbours. Using peaceful means, Martin led protests to force change, including the March on Washington where he made his famous I have a dream speech. Martin s work made him the hero of millions but also the target of hate. He won the Nobel Peace Prize and his life was a sacrifice of love so that millions of Americans could lead happy and just lives.