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Significant Moments in the Life of Malcolm X

Today is the birthday of the civil rights leader, here are some of the significant moments throughout his life.

Today would have been the 97th birthday of Civil Rights icon Malcolm X. The man was a strong advocate for Black empowerment and people in the Black community protecting themselves.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Throughout his life, he was also a devout Muslim and a spokesperson for the Nation of Islam.

Malcolm X is born

Photo: pbs.org

On May 19, 1925, Malcolm Little was born to Earl and Louise Little in Omaha, Nebraska. Malcolm was the fourth of seven children; his parents were devout followers of Marcus Garveyโ€™s black nationalism movement.

Malcolmโ€™s father is killed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqhnBnm2U5E

After moving to Lansing, Michigan, the family home was burned down in 1929 with no one injured. Two years later on September 28, Malcolmโ€™s father: Earl was fatally struck by a car. His death was ruled an accident. Many Black people in the community did not believe it was an accident. Even more, his family had often been harassed by a white supremacist group in the area. His father accused the group of burning down his home and many believed they were responsible for his death.

Drops out of school

Photo: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'pbs.org', 'type': 'Text'}]

Malcolmโ€™s mother, Louise, was declared legally insane after a nervous breakdown in December 1938. Malcolm and his six siblings were sent to different foster homes around the state. While in middle school, Malcolm was one of the best students in the entire school and had dreams of becoming a lawyer, but was told by a teacher that being a lawyer was โ€œno realistic goal for a nigger.โ€ After finishing 8th grade, he dropped out of school.

Moves to Boston

Mrs. Ella Collins, a half sister of Malcolm X Photo: Getty Images Bettmann

After he dropped out of school, Malcolm moved to Boston to live with his older sister, Ella in February 1941.

Ordered to register for military

Photo: Getty Images Three Lions

In 1943, during World War II, Malcolm was ordered by the U.S. draft to register for the military. Ultimately, doctors concluded that he was โ€œmentally disqualified for military service.โ€

Arrested for burglary

Photo: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'statesofincarceration.org', 'type': 'Text'}]

During World War II in 1943, Malcolm was ordered by the U.S. draft to register for the military. Ultimately, doctors concluded that he was โ€œmentally disqualified for military service.โ€

Changes surname to โ€œXโ€

Human rights activist Malcolm X, with political leaders Elijah Muhammad and Louis Farrakhan, circa 1950-1965. Photo: Getty Images Lloyd Yearwood/Three Lions

While in prison, Malcolm is reading and writing constantly to stimulate his mind. Four of his siblings convert to Islam and introduce Malcolm to the words of Elijah Muhammad, the Nation of Islamโ€™s leader. He writes the Governor of Massachusetts to demand to practice Islam and in 1952 he is released from prison and joined the Nation of Islam in Detroit. He rejects the surname Little and changes his last name to โ€œX.โ€

Marries Betty Sanders

Betty Shabazz, wife of the late Nation of Islam leader, Malcolm X, speaking in 1972, location unknown. Photo: AP AP Photo

Malcolm X married Betty Sanders, who changed her last name to โ€œXโ€ in Lansing, Michigan on Jan. 12, 1958.

Breaks from the Nation of Islam

n this March 1, 1964, file photo, world heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali, right, is shown with Black Muslim Leader, Malcolm X, outside the Trans-Lux Newsreel Theater in New York City, after watching a screening of films on Aliโ€™s title fight with Sonny Liston. Malcolm X became Aliโ€™s mentor and close friend. Their relationship ruptured when Malcolm X split from the Nation of Islam. Photo: AP File/AP Photo

Malcolm X publicly announced his break from the Nation of Islam on March 8, 1964. He felt the organizationโ€™s rigid religious teachings went too far.

Threats from the Nation of Islam

Bodyguards Herbert Muhammad, son of Elijah Muhammad; John Ali and James Shabazz, assistant minister Mosque #2 (l to r) surround Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad at a news conference where the religious leader denied any connection to the assassination Photo: Getty Images Bettmann

After leaving the Nation of Islam, tensions rose between the two and attempts against his life occurred multiple times. The Nation of Islam made threats both private and public.

Meet Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo: Getty Images Afro American Newspapers/Gado

On March 26, 1964, Malcolm X met Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington D.C. after a press conference. Both of the men were going to the senate to hear the debate on the Civil Rights bill.

Pilgrimage to Mecca

Photo: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'therevealer.org', 'type': 'Text'}]

On April 13, 1964, Malcolm X took a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia which was a life-altering trip for him. He was able to meet Muslims who came from different cultures and backgrounds and were of different races and nationalities. This helped change his mindset.

House is firebombed

Home of Black Muslim leader Malcolm X is damaged after two fire bombs sparked a flash fire, Feb. 14, 1965 in New York City. Firemen quickly put out the flames. The Nation of Islam leader, his wife Betty, and their four daughters were in the house at the time but escaped unharmed. Photo: AP Harry Harris

The Nation of Islam sued to reclaim Malcolm Xโ€™s residence in Queens in June 1964. The Nation of Islam won and Malcolm X had to leave the home. On Feb. 14, 1965, the night before he was scheduled to attend a hearing to postpone the eviction date, the house was firebombed and burned to the ground. Everyone in his family survived.

Assassination

Two policemen carry stretcher bearing Negro nationalist leader Malcom X after he was downed by an assassinโ€™s bullets at a rally February 21st. The 39-year-old Malcolm was pronounced dead at hospital when he was taken for treatment. The assination of the one-time Muslim official came one week after the bombing of his home February 13th. Photo: Getty Images Bettmann

On Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated while he was speaking at a meeting of the Organization of Afro-American Unity where over 400 people attended. X was shot in the chest with a sawed-off shotgun. Two other men went to the stage and shot him 16 more times with handguns. He has pronounced dead shortly after. He was only 39 years. The two men originallyย convicted for his assassination were exonerated in 2021.

Funeral

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xecn9For_Ig

Between 14,000 and 30,000 people came to mourn Malcolm X at his public viewing in Harlemโ€™s Unity Funeral Home. His funeral was held on Feb. 27 at the Faith Temple, Church of God in Christ and over 1,000 people attended. Some of the civil rights leaders who attended were John Lewis, Andrew Young, James Forman and Jesse Gray

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