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A photo of Malcolm X

Malcolm X 1925 - 1965

Malcolm Little of New York, New York United States was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Douglas County, NE, and died at age 39 years old on February 21, 1965 in New York, NY. Malcolm Little was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery 280 Secor Rd, in Hartsdale, Westchester County.
Malcolm Little
Malcom X, el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz
New York, New York United States
May 19, 1925
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, United States
February 21, 1965
New York, New York, United States
Male
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Malcolm Little's History: 1925 - 1965

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  • Introduction

    Malcolm X (1925-1965) was an influential civil rights activist and Muslim minister who rose to prominence in the United States during the mid-20th century. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, he experienced firsthand the harsh realities of racism and discrimination as a Black man in America. After his father's murder and his mother's institutionalization, he turned to a life of crime, leading to his arrest and imprisonment at the age of 20. During his time in prison, Malcolm X underwent a transformation, converting to the Nation of Islam and embracing the teachings of its leader, Elijah Muhammad. Upon his release, he became a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam, preaching Black separatism, self-defense, and Black pride. However, after a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964, Malcolm X underwent a spiritual awakening, renounced his previous separatist beliefs, and began advocating for racial integration and unity. His message of Black self-determination and empowerment, coupled with his uncompromising stance against racism and oppression, made him a powerful and controversial figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X's legacy as a courageous and passionate advocate for Black rights continues to inspire and influence people around the world.
  • 05/19
    1925

    Birthday

    May 19, 1925
    Birthdate
    Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska United States
    Birthplace
  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Malcolm X was born into a family of African American heritage, with roots in both the United States and the Caribbean. His father, Earl Little, was a Baptist minister and an outspoken advocate for Black pride and self-sufficiency. Earl's activism made him a target of white supremacists who frequently harassed and threatened the Little family. Malcolm's mother, Louise Norton Little, was a homemaker and a descendant of African slaves and Native Americans. Malcolm X's family history was marked by tragedy and struggle. His father was brutally murdered when Malcolm was just six years old, in what is widely believed to have been a racially motivated attack. His mother, overwhelmed by the loss of her husband and the constant threat of violence, suffered a nervous breakdown and was institutionalized. Malcolm and his siblings were placed in foster care, and later separated when their caretakers could no longer afford to keep them together.
  • Nationality & Locations

    Malcolm X was an American national, born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1925. He spent much of his childhood in the Midwest, as his family moved frequently due to his father's work as a Baptist minister. After his father's death and his mother's institutionalization, Malcolm X bounced around various foster homes and juvenile detention facilities in Michigan and Massachusetts. In 1946, at the age of 20, Malcolm X was sentenced to 10 years in prison for burglary. He served time in several different prisons across the United States, including Charlestown State Prison in Massachusetts and Norfolk State Prison Colony in Virginia. After his release from prison in 1952, Malcolm X moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he became involved with the Nation of Islam and began his career as a civil rights activist. He later moved to New York City, where he became the national spokesperson for the Nation of Islam and helped establish several mosques and community centers. Malcolm X's activism took him to many different locations throughout the United States, including cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. He also traveled internationally, visiting countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Ghana. In 1964, he made a pilgrimage to Mecca, which he described as a transformative experience that broadened his understanding of Islam and his vision for racial justice.
  • Early Life & Education

    Malcolm's formal education was interrupted early on by his family's frequent moves and financial instability. He attended various schools in Michigan and Massachusetts, but he dropped out after the eighth grade due to poor grades and a lack of interest in the curriculum. During his time in prison, however, Malcolm X discovered a passion for reading and self-education. He spent countless hours in the prison library, reading voraciously and studying a wide range of subjects, from history and philosophy to religion and science. He also corresponded with prominent intellectuals and activists, including Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, who encouraged him to continue his studies. After his release from prison, Malcolm X continued his education independently, reading and studying whenever he had the opportunity. He also took courses in public speaking and debate, which helped him become a skilled and charismatic orator.
  • Religious Beliefs

    Malcolm X's religion played a central role in his life and in his advocacy for racial justice and equality. He was raised in a Christian household, but he converted to Islam while serving a prison sentence in the 1940s. He became a member of the Nation of Islam, a Black nationalist religious organization that promoted self-sufficiency, Black pride, and separatism. As a member of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X became a prominent advocate for Black liberation and empowerment. He saw Islam as a means of achieving social justice and equality, and he advocated for Black Americans to embrace Islam and reject Christianity, which he saw as a tool of white oppression. In the mid-1960s, Malcolm X split from the Nation of Islam and began to embrace mainstream Sunni Islam. He traveled to Mecca, where he had a transformative experience that led him to reject the separatist views of the Nation of Islam and embrace a more inclusive, universalist vision of Islam. Malcolm X's faith continued to play a central role in his advocacy for racial justice and equality, but he no longer saw Islam as a means of separatism. Instead, he embraced a more inclusive vision of Islam that recognized the common humanity of all people and advocated for solidarity across racial and religious divides.
  • Military Service

    Malcolm X did not have any direct military involvement, as he was not a member of the armed forces.
  • Professional Career

    During his early years, he worked a series of odd jobs, including shining shoes, selling newspapers, and working as a soda jerk. He also became involved in criminal activities, such as drug dealing and burglary, which ultimately led to his arrest and imprisonment. While in prison, Malcolm X underwent a transformation and became a devoted member of the Nation of Islam. After his release in 1952, he began working as a minister and recruiter for the organization, traveling across the United States to spread the group's message of Black separatism and self-sufficiency. He quickly became one of the Nation's most prominent and influential leaders, known for his fiery speeches and uncompromising stance against racism and oppression. In the mid-1960s, Malcolm X began to distance himself from the Nation of Islam and embraced a more inclusive vision of Islam and racial justice. He founded his own organization, the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which advocated for the rights and empowerment of Black Americans and other oppressed peoples. Throughout his career, Malcolm X was also a prolific writer and speaker, known for his powerful and eloquent prose. He wrote several books, including "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," which has become a classic of American literature. He also delivered countless speeches and interviews, many of which continue to inspire and inform activists today.
  • Personal Life & Family

    In 1958, Malcolm X married Betty Shabazz, with whom he had six daughters. The couple was deeply committed to each other and to their family, despite the challenges they faced as prominent leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X's personal life was marked by a deep commitment to his community and to Islam. He spent much of his life working to uplift and empower Black Americans, advocating for self-sufficiency, self-defense, and pride in Black identity. His religious faith was a central part of his life, and he saw Islam as a means of achieving social justice and equality.
  • 02/21
    1965

    Death

    February 21, 1965
    Death date
    Assassination by gunshot.
    Cause of death
    New York, New York United States
    Death location
  • Gravesite & Burial

    mm/dd/yyyy
    Funeral date
    Ferncliff Cemetery 280 Secor Rd, in Hartsdale, Westchester County, New York 10530, United States
    Burial location
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3 Memories, Stories & Photos about Malcolm

Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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the look on Malcom X's face in this photo...
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X meet only once and lasted one minute. Both men had come to hear the Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Date & Place: in Washington, District of Columbia County, District Of Columbia United States
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Malcolm X with Martin Luther King
Malcolm X with Martin Luther King
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were two of the most prominent and influential figures of the Civil Rights Movement, although they held different philosophies and approaches to achieving racial equality.

Malcolm X and MLK Jr. met only once, in March 1964, at the U.S. Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act. The two leaders were attending the event as observers, and although they did not speak directly to each other, they were photographed together.
Date & Place: at U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs in Washington, District Of Columbia 20510, United States
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Malcolm Little's Family Tree & Friends

Malcolm Little's Family Tree

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Parent
Partner
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Sibling
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Friendships

Malcolm's Friends

Friends of Malcolm Friends can be as close as family. Add Malcolm's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
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3 Followers & Sources
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Other Biographies

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Other Little Family Biographies

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