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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Throughout his life, he was also a devout Muslim and a spokesperson for the Nation of Islam.
Malcolm X is born
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 Garvey’s black nationalism movement.
Malcolm’s father is killed
After moving to Lansing, Michigan, the family home was burned down in 1929 with no one injured. Two years later on September 28, Malcolm’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
Malcolm’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 “no realistic goal for a nigger.” After finishing 8th grade, he dropped out of school.
Moves to Boston
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
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 “mentally disqualified for military service.”
Arrested for burglary
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 “mentally disqualified for military service.”
Changes surname to “X”
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 Islam’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 “X.”
Marries Betty Sanders
Malcolm X married Betty Sanders, who changed her last name to “X” in Lansing, Michigan on Jan. 12, 1958.
Breaks from the Nation of Islam
Malcolm X publicly announced his break from the Nation of Islam on March 8, 1964. He felt the organization’s rigid religious teachings went too far.
Threats from the Nation of Islam
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.
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
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
The Nation of Islam sued to reclaim Malcolm X’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
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 originally convicted for his assassination were exonerated in 2021.
Funeral
Between 14,000 and 30,000 people came to mourn Malcolm X at his public viewing in Harlem’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
Straight From 
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