Martin Luther King, Jr. (january 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.  He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.  King became a civil rights activist early in his career.  He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.  With the SCLC, King led an unsuccessful 1962 struggle against segregation in Albany, Georgia (the Albany Movement), and helped organize the 1963 nonviolent protests in Birmingham, Alabama.  King also helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.  There, he established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history.  On October 14, 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence.

Here, we showcase some of the stamps that commemorate King and the 50th anniversary of his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.  Ras al-Khaimah, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, was one of the first countries (political territories) to honor Martin Luther KIng, Jr. on a stamp after his assassination.  Mexico was the  first western country to honor the slain civil rights leader with a stamp.  You can see other Martin Luther King, Jr. stamps here.