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Is This Viral List of 'Four Things You Didn't Know About Martin Luther King, Jr.' True?

For decades, we've fact-checked the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader.

by Snopes Staff, July 19, 2003

Image courtesy of Getty Images

The federal holiday celebrating the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. fell on the second inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in 2025, just a year after it fell on King's birthday. Born in Atlanta, on Jan. 15, 1929, King dedicated his life to achieving equality and justice for all Americans. He advocated the notion that a peaceful refusal to obey unjust laws was the best way to combat racism and bring about social change.

During his memorable but too-short lifetime, King pressed the case of civil rights with the White House, touched millions of Americans with his unforgettable "I Have a Dream" speech and won the Nobel Peace Prize, on his way to leaving behind a legacy of hope and inspiration.

Despite the power of his life's work, the memory of the famed civil rights crusader has also inspired many rumors and junk news pieces over the years. Here's our collection of some of them.

By Snopes Staff

Did the FBI Send MLK a Letter Telling Him To Kill Himself?

Jan. 25, 2022

The anonymous letter purported to reveal secrets about Martin Luther King Jr.’s sex life.

Was the U.S. Government Found Guilty of Assassinating Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Jan. 20, 2014

Conspiracy theorists hold that the United States government was sued and found culpable for the ...

Did Barack Obama Meet with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.?

March 7, 2017

A photograph showing an adult Barack Obama with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. is chronol ...

Audio of MLK Endorsing Trump Is Deepfake

Nov. 5, 2024

According to the recording, King said Trump "did more for the Black community than any other pre ...

Is Rapper Meek Mill the Grandson of Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Aug. 6, 2015

Rumors that the musician is directly related to the civil rights icon come from a site that only ...

Did Martin Luther King Jr. Pay the Hospital Bill for Julia Roberts' Birth?

Feb. 4, 2023

The Oscar-winning actress has a special connection to MLK and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

Did Kamala Harris Plagiarize Martin Luther King Jr.?

Jan. 7, 2021

A 2020 Elle interview with the vice president-elect carries some similarities to a 1965 Playboy ...

Martin Luther King Jr aka MLK once wrote in a letter words that later became a quote about a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.

Is MLK's 'Disobey Unjust Laws' Quote Real?

Jan. 17, 2023

The genuine quote often appears in memes on social media.

Was Trump's Jan. 6 Crowd Bigger Than for MLK's 'I Have a Dream' Speech?

Aug. 9, 2024

According to the National Park Service, the March on Washington in August 1963 drew an estimated ...

Is This Samuel L. Jackson with MLK at a Pool Hall?

Jan. 26, 2022

This is a genuine photo of Martin Luther King Jr., but the man wearing shades in the background ...

When Martin Luther King encouraged me to run for Congress I didn't think much of it. But over time I've realized he was right. And now that I've been elected, I refuse to spit on his grave and resign.

No, George Santos Didn't Tweet That MLK Encouraged Him To Run for Congress

Jan. 14, 2023

Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, 20 years before Rep. George Santos was born.

A supposed screenshot of a purported post from former US President Donald Trump claimed that he once marched with MLK Jr.

Did Trump Claim on Truth Social that He Marched with MLK?

Jan. 16, 2024

"I marched with King and he didn't mind that I was white," the purported post read. "I have a ho ...

Did MLK Say This About Capitalism?

Jan. 20, 2020

Quote: "Since we know that the system will not change the rules, we're going to have to change t ...

Was MLK Smothered in His Hospital Bed?

July 21, 2020

Questions and speculation may always surround the assassination of Dr. King, but this is not a c ...

Real Pic of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King?

Sept. 21, 2024

The photo shows the pair wearing green outfits and smiling.

Rumors circulated in April 2021 that U.S. President Joe Biden once said "Dr. King's assassination did not have the worldwide impact that George Floyd's death did."

Did Biden Say George Floyd's Death Had Greater 'Worldwide Impact' Than MLK's?

April 7, 2021

Remarks attributed to U.S. President Joe Biden saw a resurgence in social media sharing in April ...

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Request for a Gun Permit Was Denied?

June 24, 2024

Posts say the civil rights icon wanted the ability to carry a weapon after his home was firebomb ...

Did MLK Say 'Our Lives Begin to End the Day We Become Silent'?

Jan. 16, 2017

An oft-quoted statement attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. appears to have been paraphras ...

Is This a Picture of Martin Luther King and a Police Dog Used to Intimidate Him?

Jan. 22, 2019

Man's best friend, or police intimidation tactic?

Does This Video Prove Martin Luther King Was a Republican?

Jan. 23, 2019

The civil rights icon was never a vocal advocate of either major political party, both of which ...

Do Democrats Want to Add Martin Luther King to Mount Rushmore?

Jan. 15, 2018

The non-thinking person's way to generate faux political outrage is to suggest any addition to A ...

Two women hold I Have A Dream signs but they are misspelt.

Misspelled Martin Luther King Day Signs

Jan. 28, 2008

A photograph from a 2007 Corpus Christi TV station news report shows Martin Luther King Day cele ...

Did MLK Say 'Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness; Only Light Can Do That'?

Jan. 21, 2024

The late Rev. King is frequently misquoted on the internet, and, as always, we're here to clear ...

Martin Luther King Stamp

June 7, 2000

Is the U.S. Postal Service discontinuing the Martin Luther King stamp?

Is This Viral List of 'Four Things You Didn't Know About Martin Luther King, Jr.' True?

July 19, 2003

You probably didn't know most of them because they're not true.

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