Remembering Lansing's Malcolm X on his 93rd birthday

Before he was Malcolm X, he was a Lansing kid named Malcolm Little. He later grew to be one of the most influential civil rights leaders in American history. 

He was born May 19, 1925, in Nebraska, before moving with his parents to Lansing, Michigan, at age 2 where he lived until the 1940s. He was killed Feb. 21, 1965, as he prepared to speak in New York.

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Malcolm X's history in Lansing

• January 1928: Earl Little buys a home in Lansing in a whites-only subdivision.
• Nov. 7, 1929: Earl Little's home is burned down.
• December 1929: Earl Little buys a new home south of the city.
• January 1931: Malcolm Little enrolls in kindergarten at Pleasant Grove Elementary School.
• Sept. 29, 1931: Earl Little is run over by a streetcar at Michigan Avenue and Detroit Street and dies. Rumor holds that he was murdered by the Black Legion, a local white supremacist group.
• Oct. 27, 1938: Malcolm Little attends West Junior High School.
• September 1940: Malcolm Little is placed in various foster homes in Mason. He plays on the Mason High School football team.
• February 1941: Malcolm moves to Boston.
• November 1942: Malcolm moves back to Michigan and works for Shaw's Jewelry Store as a porter-messenger.
• March 1943: Malcolm moves to New York City.
• January 1945: Malcolm returns to Michigan and works briefly making mattresses for Capitol Bedding, sweeping floors at the Reo Motor Car Co. and waiting tables at Coral Gables.
• May 1, 1955: Malcolm holds a Nation of Islam meeting in Lansing.
• Jan. 14, 1958: Malcolm X marries Betty X before a justice of the peace in Lansing.
• Jan. 23, 1963: Malcolm X gives a speech at Michigan State University.

Famous quotes from Malcolm X

His words inspired a whole generation of young Black revolutionaries. Here are five memorable quotes from his speeches:

1. "Our objective is complete freedom, complete justice, complete equality, by any means necessary." — Dec. 20, 1964

2. "You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom." — Jan. 7, 1965

3. "I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me." — Dec. 12, 1964

4. "There is nothing in our book, the Koran, that teaches us to suffer peacefully. Our religion teaches us to be intelligent. Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery." — April 3, 1964

5. "It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, it will be for the cause of brotherhood. That's the only thing that can save this country." — Feb. 19, 1965