Malcolm Little is born in Omaha, NE

The family’s Lansing, MI, home is burned to the ground

Malcolm’s father is found dead on the town’s trolley tracks

Malcolm is sentenced to 8-10 years for armed robbery; serves 6 years at Charlestown, MA State Prison

Converts to the Nation of Islam while in prison

Changes name from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X and becomes Assistant Minister of Nation of Islam’s Detroit Temple

Promoted to Minister of Nation of Islam’s New York Temple

Marries Sister Betty X in Lansing, Michigan

Travels to Middle East and Africa

Nation of Islam orders Malcolm X to be silent, allegedly because of remarks concerning President Kennedy’s assassination

Malcolm X leaves the Nation of Islam and starts his new organization, Muslim Mosque, Inc

Travels to Middle East and Africa

Starts the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), a secular political group

Malcolm X’s home is firebombed

Malcolm X is assassinated as he begins speaking at the Audubon Ballroom, New York