All About Malcolm X

Malcom X was born Malcolm Little, May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents were Earl Little and Louise Norton Little. There were eight children in the family. Malcolm's father was a baptist minister and his mother a homemaker.

Malcolm's father, Earl Little, was very outspoken concerning civil rights. The family received many death threats and had to move many times. Their home in Lansing, Michigan was burned to the ground in 1929. Two years later, Malcolm's father was found dead. Malcolm's mother had an emotional breakdown several years after his father's death and had to be hospitalized. The Little children were split up among foster homes and orphanages.

Malcolm was a smart student student and graduated at the top of his class from junior high. He had dreams of becoming a lawyer but a teacher told him that that was not a realistic goal for a black person. After hearing this, Malcolm lost interest in school and dropped out. He spent time in Boston, Massachusetts working various odd jobs before traveling to Harlem, New York.

Malcolm committed many crimes and spent time in jail before becoming a member of the Nation of Islam. During his seven-year prison sentence, he furthered his education and studied the teachings of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm left prison in 1952 and changed his last name to X because he felt Little was a slave name. He married Betty Shabazz in 1958.

Because of Malcolm's intelligence and ability to speak, he was appointed a minister and national spokesman for the Nation of Islam. He was given the task of attracting new members to the organization. His popularity increased the member population from 500 in 1952 to 30,000 in 1963. He had grown more popular than his mentor Elijah Muhammad and drew the attention of the FBI.

In 1964, Malcolm ended his relationship with the Nation of Islam because he learned that Elijah Muhammad had relationships with as many as six women in the Nation of Islam and Muhammad silenced him because of comments concerning President John F. Kennedy's death. Malcolm founded the Muslim Mosque, Inc. upon leaving. After this, Malcolm experienced many attempts on his life. On February 14, 1965 Malcom, Betty and their four children's home in Elmhurst, New York was firebombed. The family escaped physical injury.

While speaking in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965, three gunmen rushed Malcolm onstage and shot him 15 times at close range. He was 39 years old. His funeral was held on February 27, 1965 at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem, New York. His wife Betty gave birth to twin daughters later that year.

Malcom X was born Malcolm on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. There were children in the family. Their home in , Michigan was burned to the ground in 1929. During his seven-year prison sentence, he furthered his and studied the teachings of Nation of leader Elijah . Malcolm left prison in 1952 and changed his last name to X. He married Betty in 1958. Because of Malcolm's and ability to speak, he was appointed a minister and national spokesman for the Nation of Islam. By 1963, he had grown more popular than his mentor Elijah Muhammad and drew the attention of the. In 1964, Malcolm ended his relationship with the Nation of Islam and founded the Mosque, Inc. After this, Malcolm experienced many attempts on his life. He was shot to death on February 21, 1965. His funeral was held on February 27, 1965 in , New York.