Martin Luther King Jr. was not a president. He was a civil rights leader who led marches for freedom, was imprisoned for his beliefs, spoke to the heart of the people, and inspired millions. Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister, a teacher, and a leader. His influence on American society is pervasive. He was assassinated in 1968 while making a speech. He is definitely one of the most influential leaders America has ever had, but he was not President of the United States of America.