Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pivotal figure in the history of the United States. Much is known about his life and influence, but there’s always an opportunity to learn more, especially some lesser-known facts regarding Dr. King’s life. The following are some interesting tidbits about MLK, Jr.

1. King’s original name was Michael King, Jr. and not Martin. After King’s father was inspired by the German Protestant Martin Luther, he changed both his own name and his son’s name to Martin.

2. King entered college at age 15. While most incoming college students are 18 or older, King skipped both the ninth and twelfth grades and entered Morehouse College through an early admission program. He eventually graduated with a degree in sociology.

3. King’s assassination did not mark the first attempt on his life. In 1958, while signing copies of his book Stride Toward Freedom, King was stabbed in the chest by Izola Ware Curry. The doctors later said that if he had sneezed right after the stabbing, he wouldn’t have survived the attack.

4. King inspired actress Nichelle Nichols to stay on the “Star Trek” television series. King was a big fan of “Star Trek” when Nichols, who played Uhura, was considering leaving the show. King advised Nichols to stay since she was one of the first representations of African Americans on television in a non-stereotyped role.

5. King is actually a Grammy Award winner among his many accomplishments and awards. He posthumously received the 1967 Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording for his “Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam” speech.

6. King accumulated quite an extensive arrest record. Although he is known for being jailed in Birmingham, he was arrested more than 25 times, largely for minor reasons – failure to obtain a parade permit being one of them.

7. Some say that King was a pool shark. As a student at Crozer Theological Seminary, he became skilled at billiards and would hustle classmates for fun.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was known for his many accomplishments and it can be interesting to learn more about his storied life.