Pictures: The life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Columns of demonstrators in Birmingham, Ala., are led by King — center, with Ralph David Abernathy — in April 1963, when King was sentenced to a jail term in connection with desegregation protests. During this time King wrote his famous “Letter From Birmingham Jail.”  (Horace Cort / Associated Press)

King, center, strides arm in arm with Abernathy at a march for striking Memphis sanitation workers in 1968. A few days later, King was assassinated at Memphis’ Lorraine Motel.  (Sam Melhorn / Associated Press)

King seen outside his home in Montgomery, Ala. with his wife Coretta Scott King and first child Yolanda King in May 1956.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Coretta Scott King and daughter, Yolanda, sit in a car as it leaves for Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral in Atlanta on April 9, 1968. The reflection of a group of mourners standing in front of a house is visible in the window of the car.  (Santi Visalli Inc./Getty Images)

King waves with his children, Yolanda and Martin Luther III, from the ‘Magic Skyway’ ride at the Worlds Fair, New York City on August 12, 1964. The ride was a replica of a Ford convertible.  (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

King speaks with a young women after delivering a sermon on May 13, 1956 in Montgomery, Ala.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

King in the study at his home in Montgomery, Ala., May 1956.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

King eating a meal at home in Montgomery, Ala. with family members May 1956.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

King plays at home with his wife Coretta Scott King and first child Yolanda King in May 1956.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

King relaxes on his couch May 1956 in Montgomery, Ala.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Martin Luther King Jr. cuts the birthday cake at a party given by David George Ball to celebrate King’s 30 birthday on Jan. 15, 1959. He was a student at Yale, and Dr. King was his guest.  (submitted photo / Virginia Gazette)